Dr. James Nathan Ross

1945 - 2025

Dr. James Nathan Ross passed away peacefully in the presence of his two children on August 29, 2025 after suffering for over a decade from advanced dementia. Glimpses of his playful sense of humor were witnessed until the very end.

James Nathan Ross was born on December 11, 1945 to Reuben Ross and Isla Clay Green Ross of Belton, Texas. He was the middle son of three boys raised on a farm with the keen awareness of the value of a hard day's work. He and his brothers, John and David, created their own fun, building "airplanes" out of scrap wood to send off the top of the barn or swimming in the Leon River. "Jimmy" enjoyed school, mostly because it got him out of picking cotton each fall, and he genuinely loved learning and being in the center of a laughing crowd. While in high school, he rebuilt a 1936 Cadillac by frankensteining various car and truck parts. His love of motors and working with his hands lasted his entire life.

He attended Belton High School and then the University of Texas at Austin, after which he immediately began dental school at The University of Texas Medical Center in Houston. This is where he met Colleen Robison Manley, a nursing student, who would become his loving wife of over 45 years. They had two children and built a purposeful life together in Brenham and later College Station.

Dr. Ross worked as a dentist for 40 years. He passionately cared about his work and the welfare of his patients, and he pioneered effective treatments of TMJ. He gave lectures at The American Dental Association's conferences and incessantly wrote letters to state and national legislators, insurance companies, and other medical professionals to educate them on Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. His dedication to his practice positively impacted thousands of lives.

In his spare time, "Ross" was an avid astronomer, constantly reading astrophysics books and calibrating telescopes. He earned a black belt in Judo and coached his son's soccer teams. He was an avid chess player, and he constantly tinkered. He rebuilt a 1958 Mercedes in his garage, raised bees, and built a version of a Sterling engine, just for the pure joy of working with his hands and engaging his mind. He was interested in exploring human consciousness and spirituality, finding peace in every religion, meditating as well as praying. He explored many parts of the globe, seeing travel as an opportunity to learn about geography, people, and cultures. He enjoyed sitting under old trees and was a staunch environmentalist, loyally boycotting or promoting certain companies or organizations for decades.

Ross truly loved others, and he enjoyed making others laugh, especially children. He was unabashedly silly and playful. If those around him were happy, he was happy. James Ross was a good man. He made the most of every blessing and shared those blessings with others. He was kind, principled, and dedicated his life to promoting peace, health, joy, and love.

James Nathan Ross was predeceased by wife, Colleen Manley Ross, and his brothers, John and David Ross. He is survived by his two children, Jason Ross and Lauren Ross-Hülphers, their spouses, Lori Ross and Ivan Hülphers, and four grandchildren, Joseph Benn, Noah Benn, Sonja Hulphers, and Ruben Hulphers, as well as four well-loved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in College Station on Saturday, November 8th at 10:00. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree anywhere or have one planted through the National Audubon Society.