Robert Ross

1947 - 2018

ROSS, Robert Nelson "Bobby" Bobby Ross 71, of Corsicana passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Bobby was born in Corsicana on January 18, 1947 to Rosa Hashop and Nelson Nichols Ross. Bobby took an interest in law enforcement at the age of thirteen, when he became a charter member of the Corsicana Police Reserve. During high school he worked as a police dispatcher and ambulance attendant for Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Griffin. He graduated from Corsicana High School in 1965. Bobby went to Sam Houston State University where he obtained a degree in Criminology. He earned his Master's Degree at SMU. While attending Sam Houston State University he met his wife, Linda Rae Cochran and they married in Borger, Texas in 1970. In 1974, Rebecca Lin Ross, their only child was born. Bobby has held numerous jobs in law enforcement throughout his career including: Huntsville Police Department, Ft. Bend County Sheriff's Department, Dallas Police Department, and Sheriff of Navarro County, serving two terms. He also started a Burglar and Fire Alarm business. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, President of the Navarro County Historical Society, member of the Corsicana Emergency Corps and the Police Reserve, also a member of noon Lions Club. In 1993 he moved to Austin, Texas and started his own private correctional management company known as BRG, Inc. BRG became the 5th largest private correctional management company in the United States. His staff and employees throughout all his facilities admired and respected what a great boss he was to them all. Because of his great love for gospel music he launched BRG Music, Inc. which supported many gospel groups. Bobby was elected Lakeway's Citizen of the Year in 1998. He was dubbed Mr. Lakeway by his favorite breakfast spot, Caf? Lago. The owners presented him with a hat and hung his photo in the restaurant for many years. In 2003, due to health reasons, he sold his company after twenty years and moved back to his beloved Corsicana. Despite beating a brain aneurysm, four strokes, and type 2 diabetes for 21 years, it was finally too much to overcome. Bobby never met a stranger and had a heart as big as the state of Texas. He was so kind and generous to everyone he met. He was preceded in death by his parents Rosa Hashop Ross and Nelson N. Ross, his wife, Linda Rae Cochran Ross, paternal grandparents, John H and Sarah Ross, and maternal grandparents, Louis and Annie Hashop. Survivors include his sister and brother-in-law, Sara and Dr. Reese Brown of Liberty, his daughter, Rebecca R. Ramsey, son-in law, Scott Ramsey, and grandson Braden Ross Ramsey of Austin, Texas, several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank Dr. Kent Rogers, Rita Jackson, and Bobby's caregivers, Sherry Parhm, Deborah Hammond, Jessica Williams and all others who cared for him for their devotion and the wonderful care provided. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday February, 19 at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Steven Bell officiating. Viewing will be Sunday evening, February 18th from 6-8 pm at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers are the Navarro County Sheriff Office. Honorary Pallbearers are Scott Ramsey, Braden Ramsey, Kevin Brown, Patrick Smith, Tom Jackson, Dr. A. Reese Brown, Jim Hodge, Les Cotton, Mike Cox and Don Roedner. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Nelson N. Ross Endowment Scholarship Fund at Abilene Christian University or the Methodist Children's Home in Waco. An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana.