Ross Samuel Elsberry

Elsberry, Ross Samuel

transcended to his heavenly Father on April 3, 2025. He was a "gentle man."

Born in Tampa on September 8, 1945, he is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Vicki Mixon Elsberry; loving son, Eric Samuel Elsberry (Melissa Yates Elsberry); grandchildren, Lucy Iris and Wade Arthur; adoring daughter, Tara Renee Elsberry; and grandsons, Wyatt Elsberry Dye and Parker Hopkins Dye; and second mother (mother-in-law) Iris Holloway Mixon. He followed in the footsteps of his father and father-in-law, Lester Mixon, in becoming a Rotarian, and in his love of the banking industry.

Ross' grandfather came to Wimauma, Florida to harvest and mill timber. His father, Paul, and three brothers started a family farming operation specializing in row crops, primarily tomatoes, cattle and citrus. Ross and his two brothers expanded the operation to tree farms and sod production. Ross' greatest pride was the development of the greenhouse operation. With the help of the University of Florida, Jeff Thomas and Jeanny Fisher, he grew vegetable starters for the farm, many ornamentals, holiday poinsettias, the "mumsetta", cell stem tissue gerber daisies, and grass in a box.

Vicki and Ross were given the gift of 25 years of travel and escaping to the North Carolina mountains surrounded by many loving friends. They also enjoyed short trips to their beloved Little Gasparilla Island. Ross' greatest pleasure in life was his life as a "pirate". Ross represented the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and promoted Tampa for the Tampa Visitors Bureau and Convention Center. Mark Twain said, "Now and then we had hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."

Contributions for ALS research can be sent to the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay at 4300 W. Cypress St. Suite 700 Tampa, FL 33607, or to the charity of your choice. (Donations for ALS Research should note the gift is for the Paul Elsberry Fund.)

View Guest Book www.tampabay.com/obits