Ross Allen Laney

Ross Allen Laney passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Ross was born December 12, 1984, to his proud and loving parents, Stan Laney and the late Patty Laney (Harter) both from Billings, Missouri.
Ross grew up in Billings, MO attending Billings Elementary and Billings High School for all 13 years. After graduating from Billings High School, Ross attended Missouri Valley College and Missouri State University with a focus on athletic training therapy.
As a young boy, Ross enjoyed playing Nintendo, especially anything related to Mario Brothers. His brother, Todd, and his sister, Amy, would sit on the edge of their seats as Ross made Mario run as fast as he could through the various levels on their Nintendo 64. As a very young boy, Ross was especially skilled at carrying every McDonald's Happy Meal toy he owned or his set of dinosaurs all at once in his arm. He could do the best T-rex and alligator impersonations. When their Uncle Stan took the Laney kids to see Jurassic Park in the theatre, only Ross stayed in his seat when the T-rex showed up. The rest had to visit the lobby to feel safe.
Ross had a love for sports and also music. With a basketball in his hand, Ross would become Shaq while playing hours of basketball in the Laney Pit next to the old barn on the farm. With or without a guitar in his hand, Ross would become Garth Brooks while singing every song by heart using the living room as his concert hall and the couch as his stage entrance.
Ross cherished the time he spent with his grandpa, the late Gerald Laney, learning and playing the guitar as he grew up and on into adulthood. Gerald and Ross played the guitar for the family in Grandpa and Grandma's living room.
His love for music led him to work as a Karaoke DJ at Bugsy's in Springfield, MO. He would sing, help host, and be the life of the party while meeting new friends. Ross also loved attending concerts and with his best friend Kara, attended many of his favorite artist's concerts. Even through his recent treatment for cancer, Ross was still up for a concert trip.
If Ross wasn't playing basketball or enjoying music, he was on the golf course. He carried his love for sports into high school. As he got older, he played as number 32 for the Billings High School Wildcats Basketball Team. Ross was also one of the first players for the Billings High School Golf team where he played in the Missouri High School State Golf tournament.
Ross' love for golf led him to a position as an Assistant Golf Pro for the Milwood Golf Club in Springfield, Missouri. In this role he played rounds of golf while sharing his knowledge and talent with young aspiring golfers. He beamed as he traveled to watch the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia and enjoyed playing countless rounds of golf with his dad, Stan, brother, Todd, and uncle, Terry. They shared many laughs, tips, and cheered Ross on during all the big and small moments making lifelong memories.
Ross was currently working for NewStream Enterprises as an Inventory Coordinator. He was excited to take this position as it would provide a more constant, predictable schedule. This would give him more time for family events for one. Those he worked with quickly became more than coworkers. They were friends and thought of as family to Ross. In fact, anyone that met Ross became a friend. Ross never met a stranger and could bring a smile to someone's face with just a look, a big bear hug, or his smile that showed he truly cared.
As an uncle and a cousin Ross never lost his spirit for fun. He played games with his numerous younger cousins, nieces and nephews, sat at the table playing chess with his nephew, and would help them find the perfect hiding spot for hide-n-seek rounds. When everyone thought there was nowhere left to hide at his Papa's house, Ross would get up and offer a new spot that he kept secret.
Ross put on a great show as the designated firework show coordinator for the family 4th of July celebrations, he was always up for a trip to tailgate or watch a football game, and ready for even the early tee times. He traveled to Las Vegas, Nashville, and Memphis just in the past ten months. Ross didn't let his cancer diagnosis in April 2025 stop him from doing what brought joy to his heart.
These words don't even scratch the surface to share all the amazing things Ross has done in his life, what he meant to all those that knew and loved him, and just how much he will be missed. Ross' light shined bright. He lived freely, outloud, and with a big trusting heart on this Earth. Although he will be missed dearly, Ross will always be remembered.
Ross is survived by his father, Stan Laney; his brother, Todd Laney; nephews Dylan and Jake; his sister, Amy Mooneyham and brother-in-law Brock; nephews, Cooper and Rae, and niece, Lilly. Ross is also survived by his uncles and aunts: Steve Laney, Tyler and Candy Laney, Terry Harter, Penny Harter, Scott and Kristine Harter, Tracey Edwards (Harter), Stan Harter and their families including first cousins Nicole, Nina, Naomi, Phil, Sean, Tara, Evan, Parker, Marie, Sydney, Aly, Jake, and Ryan and their families. Also mourning the loss of Ross are countless friends that he loved as if they were family.
Those that greeted and hugged Ross tightly in heaven were his cherished mother, Patty Laney, his grandpa and grandma, Gerald and Hazel Laney, and his Papa and Mama, Wilb and Vivian Harter.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Meadors Funeral Home at 314 N. Main Avenue, Republic, Missouri.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 10am at the Laney Cemetery in Billings, MO with procession from Meadors Funeral Home in Republic starting at 9:30am.
For GPS directions, please use: 6006 S Farm Rd 31 Billings, MO 65610. The entrance is a long drive off of S Farm Road 31/Lotus Rd, just across from the end of W Farm Road 188. The cemetery is at the end of the drive.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Care to Learn https://caretolearn.org/