Robert A. Ross

Published 12:01 am Saturday, March 24, 2018

Dec. 4, 1936 – March 1, 2018

NATCHEZ — A celebration of life service for Robert A. Ross, 81, who died March 1, 2018, in Meadville, will be 2 p.m. today at Crosspoint Church in Natchez.

Retired U.S. Marine Corp Lt. Col. Robert Albert Ross was born Dec. 4, 1936, in Mount Carmel, Pa., the only child of Albert and Barbara Vallish Ross.

Mr. Ross was a 1960 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy — after which, he joined the Marine Corps. He served in the military for 21 years, including a tour in Vietnam, at which time, he received a Purple Heart.

During his military career, he acquired a master’s degree in business at George Washington University. After his military retirement, he became owner/operator of a number of businesses.

Mr. Ross was a man who loved God, family and his country. He was adventurous and enjoyed traveling the world or just getting in his plane alone and flying to the islands. He chose Florida as the place he wanted to retire — mainly because it was so close to his beloved Bahamas. He loved boating and water sports, especially diving. He was always a very active, optimistic and cheerful person. Even though he fought a long, hard battle with his illness, he never gave up and always managed a smile.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Ross was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Silas Lanehart Sr.; mother-in-law, Bernice Lanehart Nettles; stepfather-in-law, Sidney Nettles; sister-in-law, Inez McDowell; and four brothers-in-law, Davis “Blue” McDowell, Shad “Boy” Perry Jr., Silas Lanehart Jr. and Dale “Pirate” Abrahamson.

Survivors include his wife, Andrea Carmel Ross; one son, Robert W. Ross and wife, Rachel; one daughter, Kerri Marcus; three grandchildren, Andrew Ross and wife, Casey, Benjamin Ross and Autumn Ross; four sisters-in-law, Pearly Perry, Lena Lanehart, Teresa Belle Abrahamson and Linda Williams and husband, Freddie; a number of nieces, nephews and friends; and his extended family and dear friends, Robert White Jr. and his son, Tre.