J. Ross Closs

J. Ross Closs, 82, of Waco, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chris Mesa and Dr. Milton Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. J.R. was born March 9, 1926, in Edge, Texas, to William and Lillian Closs. Following graduation from Bryan High School where he was a star athlete, J.R. served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. in the Fleet Marine Force on board the aircraft carrier Yorktown, CV10, during World War II. During the war he received 5 battle stars participating in naval actionin the Philippine islands, Formosa, French Indo China, the Ryukyo Islands, Japan and participated in the occupation of Japan. He received a football scholarship to Baylor University where he earned his BBA in 1950, and was a three year letterman on Baylor's 1947-1949 football team. In 1949 he was named an All Southwest Conference defensive end by the Dallas Morning News. He remained a loyal alumni serving the Baylor Letterman's Association. J.R. and Dorothy Austin married in 1950 at Austin Avenue Methodist Church where he was a faithful member serving on numerous boards during their 58 years of marriage. He was the co-founder and owner of Austin Closs, Co. since 1952. He served on the Board of Directors of Westview National Bank and First Federal Savings and Loan. J.R. leaves a legacy of dedicated service to Waco and its residents. He served on the Waco City Council and as Mayor during the 1970's. He was a member of the City Plan Commission, President of the Better Business Bureau, President of Heart of Texas Council of Governments and President of the Waco Chamber of Commerce, a long time member of the Downtown Waco Rotary Club, and aScottish Rite Mason. J.R. was a lifelong cowman, avid hunter and outdoorsman. As his good friend, Harry Provence said J.R. "gloried in the outdoors and the scenery of the Texas Hill Country and all that went with it." J.R. relished trips to the Deer Leaseand the opportunity to spend time with friends. His storytelling and embellishment of life through recounting them will be missed. He was a true Texas gentleman. His golf foursome of J.D. Hudson, David Smith and Bill Cathey formed in 1965, and remained active through the 1990's. Gene Shields said, while not the best golfers they had the most fun and stayed together longer than any group then playing. Athlete, wartime marine, entrepreneur, civic leader, cowboy, hunter, outdoorsman and most importantly a loyal friend, loving husband, father and grandfather who was loved and admired by his family and all who had the opportunity to know him. He died as he lived, a Christian. He will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Austin Closs; daughter, Susan Duncan and husband, Malcolm Jr. of Waco; his son, J. Austin Closs and wife, Melissa of Waco; daughter, Cindy Coutroubis of Dyer, Ind.; and grandchildren, Laura Duncan, Frances King and husband, Tripp, J. Closs, Don Closs and Elizabeth Coutroubis; a brother, Bill Tom Closs and his wife, Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be J. Closs, Don Closs, Tripp King, Charles Witt, Larry McFarland and John Duncan. Honorary pallbearers will be J.D. Hudson Jr., David Smith, Milton Cunningham, Lyle Blackwood, Wilton Lanning, Nick Klaras, Sam Pack and Gale Galloway. The family would especially like to thank Darlene Brown, Sue Wells, Karen Schrader, Bluebonnet Home Health Care and Bluebonnet Hospice for their loving care of J.R. Memorials may be made to Austin Avenue United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. March 9, 1926 - January 28, 2009 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com