Thomas Lynn Ross Sr.

Thomas Lynn Ross, Sr. was born March 10, 1944 in Shreveport, Louisiana to parents O.B. Ross, Sr., and Lucille Bryant Ross. On Saturday, February 10, 2023, he was called home to glory a week after being admitted to UVA Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, Virginia.
Thomas was the youngest of his three brothers, Jimmy Ross, O. B. Ross, Jr., and Stevie Ross. He grew up around the corner from a childhood friend who would later become his wife, Joan Howard Ross. They both attended Booker T. Washington High School and Grambling State University together.
At Grambling, Thomas was one of the "G Men" who played center for Coach Eddie Robinson. He was recruited by the Philadelphia Eagles during their last year at Grambling. Thomas and Joan got married, packed up and moved to Lakewood, NJ. After playing for the Eagles' farm team, Thomas and Joan stayed in Lakewood and Tom, as everyone called him, became an influential figure in the community. He joined Sixth Street Baptist Church and sang with the Male Chorus and Joy Singers, and Senior Usher Board. He was also elected to the Trustee Board and served as chairman for several years.
Tom was known for his commitment to Lakewood and possessed a limitless desire to help others. He carried the mantra from his former football Coach Rob, "Everybody is somebody" close to heart and advocated for those who needed help.
In 1971, the Lakewood Board of Education hired Tom as Ombudsman for the district. This position gave him an opportunity to serve as a liaison between parents in the community and the school board. After the riots of the 1970's, HUD made funds available for Lakewood Township to provide a safe place for young people to go for supervised recreational activities. Mayor John Franklin approached Tom to brainstorm ways in which this grant money could be used to provide the best services to the community. Tom volunteered to oversee this project which would become the Lakewood Community Center.
Thomas served two consecutive terms as President of the Lakewood / Ocean County chapter of the NAACP and advanced the fight against discrimination. The Lakewood NAACP booth was a main attraction at the Annual Lakewood Street Fair featuring Tom's barbecued ribs which raised additional funds for scholarships.
Thomas retired from the Board of Education in 2001 and from Lakewood Township in 2011 His family moved to Bayville, NJ in 2010 and then to Bristow, VA in 2017. He lived a full life and helped so many that mourn this great loss.
Thomas leaves to cherish his memory his wife Joan, their daughter Tamaika (Tammy) Lynn (Ron) and their son Thomas Lynn, Jr., and Julian Xavier (Jacqui) along with their eight grandchildren Joanna Paige, Jayden Xavier, Gabriella Yvonne, Thomas Lynn, III, Jacob Nathaniel, Jamison David, Juliahna Rae and Chase J Anthony. In Louisiana he leaves his brother Jimmy Ross, nephews Andre, Ivan, Bobby, Jonathan, niece Maranda and her son Corrie.
While we are saddened by his departure, we are reminded that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Indeed, one of his grandchildren spoke the truth in describing PopPop as "the sweetest soul."