Jimmy Lloyd Ross

Jimmy Lloyd Ross, age 87, was born on August 28, 1937 to the late George Washington & Mildred Wood Ross of Warren County, TN, and he passed from this life on June 22, 2025. He is preceded in death by his brother, H.B. Ross and infant brother George Douglas Ross, sister, Ada Lois Russell, and nephew, Ricky Ross.
Jimmy Ross is survived by Patricia Lockeridge Ross. Pat was the love of his life and his wife of 64 years. The two instantly fell in love and have never spent a night apart since they were married back in 1961, unless one of them was in the hospital. Jimmy Ross is also survived by his two daughters, Cynthia Vining and Christy Ross - "the lights of his life" and his granddaughter, Jaden Vining Perez (Jesse). Cynthia is his firstborn girl; Christy is 1,000% a "Daddy's girl"; and Jaden is "PaPa's girl." He would play with her for hours, never worrying about the make-up she would put on him. If she wanted it, it was okay with him.
He is survived by one brother, Larry (Tami) Ross, and by nephews, John Ross and Randy Ross. He is also survived by a niece, Gina (Stacey) Redmon. He became a father-figure to Gina, when her father passed away at a young age. Jimmy is also survived by his other great love, Bruno, his beloved dog.
Jimmy always wanted a son, and though not his son by birth, Eric Bonner was his son by choice – an honorary son. He always said that if he had a son, he would want him to be just like Eric, and by Eric's own account, "Mr. Ross showed me how to be a real man and a loving father."
Jimmy was a diehard Vols fan. 'The Best Of The Best' of Warren County acknowledged that loyalty by once awarding him "the biggest sports fan of the year." He was the football captain for the McMinnville High School Bulldogs in 1957. He played both o ense and defense, and helped lead the team to a winning season.
Jimmy was involved in a near fatal motorcycle wreck that left him disabled, but he never complained and never wanted to be treated di erently. He worked in construction, building houses for many years until he was no longer able. He then began programming the election machines for the Warren County Election Commission, a job he would hold for the next 40 years.
Jimmy Ross always looked for the best in people. He was the husband, the dad, the brother, the uncle and the neighbor you could only pray for and hope to have. He was the very definition of quiet power. He walked with a limp, but he walked tall. His words weren't many nor were they loud, but whatever he did say was either wise or loving or funny. Jimmy Ross will never be forgotten. His love, his strength, his integrity, his fidelity his example and his memory will be a treasured gold in our hearts forever.
The family of Jimmy Lloyd Ross will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday, June 27 and again on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. at McMinnville Funeral Home. The funeral service for Jimmy Ross is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Eric Bonner will officiate. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Stacey Redmon, Jessie Perez, Randall Gilliam, Marty McGinness, Justin Walling, and Eric Bonner.
McMinnville Funeral Home is honored to be of service to the family of Jimmy Lloyd Ross.
Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com