Obituary:  Roy Preston Ross, Jr., March 17, 2010

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
April, 2010

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, TX  April 2, 2010

ROSS

Roy Preston Ross, Jr., died March 17, 2010, at his home near Brownwood, 
Texas, following a brief illness.  He was born August 23, 1930, in 
Robert Lee, Texas,  the middle of nine children born to Roy Preston Ross, Sr., 
and Alice May Ford Ross.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister 
Edwina Wilkerson, and his brothers R. D. Ross, Mike Ross, and Joe Ross.
 
He is survived by his wife Norma Gene (Baker) Ross; his three children: 
Polly McDonald and her husband Bob, Kelly Smith and her husband Allen, and 
Preston Ross, III, and his wife Linda; his six grandchildren; Erin Smith, 
Ann Byrd and her husband Kevin, Sarah Smith, Will McDonald, Kate McDonald, 
and Stewart Ross; his two great-grandchildren, Hudson Byrd and Lauren Byrd; 
two sisters and two brothers and their spouses, Barber and Elmer Akins, 
Wallace and Billie Ross, Alice and Royce Wallace, and Freddy and Shirley 
Ross; his sisters-in-law Bea Ross, Marie Ross, Nellie Ross, and 
Betty Carol Baker; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces and their families.

Preston served in the United States Air force, achieving the rank of Staff 
Sergeant.  Most of his working years were spent in Midland, Texas, at Rocky 
Ford Moving Vans and later, as an independent real estate appraiser.  
Although he worked in offices, his true love was ranching.  He and Norma 
purchased the 5R Ranch in 1971 and commuted from Midland almost every weekend 
for 20 years to take care of their small herd of cattle.  They retired to the 
ranch in 1991 and made good new friends in Brownwood, especially their kind 
and thoughtful neighbors and their fellow worshippers at Central United 
Methodist Church.  Preston was a master mason in good standing at Brownwood 
Lodge # 279; a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason; a member of the El Paso 
Consistory; and a Member of Midland Commandery # 84.  He was also a member 
of American Legion, Brownwood Post No. 196.

Preston enjoyed good jokes, Johnny Cash songs, jalapeno peppers, shelling pecans, 
and playing dominoes.  He was a master barbecue chef and smoked the best brisket 
and pork loin west of Fort Worth.  He could play harmonica, although not 
necessarily to any particular rhythm or with any other musical instrument being 
played at the same time.  Above all, he loved his family -- joyously, completely, 
and steadfastly -- and we loved him right back.  He was a devoted husband, an 
attentive father and a doting Papa to his grandchildren (all of whom he taught 
to drive the 1960 Chevy farm truck and the 1957 Fort tractor) and his 
great-grandchildren, who now may never learn how to drive a stick shift, use 
the Magic Toothpick Hiccup Cure, or make peanut brittle at Christmas.  The 
hummingbirds that come to the back yard will miss Preston's regular offerings 
of sugar water and admiration.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors and other medical professionals who 
cared for Preston and, in particular, Lighthouse Hospice and First Aide Agency 
for their guidance and expertise during the last months of his life.  Most 
especially, the tender care provided by Teresa Fell and Laveta Burch made it 
possible for Preston to spend his last weeks at home, for which we are very 
grateful.

A memorial service for Preston will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 
in Brownwood, Texas, Friday, April 9, 2010, at 10:30 am, with Dr. Gary Torian 
officiating.  The family suggests that those wishing to make memorial gifts in 
lieu of flowers consider making a donation to Central United Methodist Church, 
2nd and Avenue G, Brownwood, Texas 76801-4213.


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