Dr. John R. Ross, known as “Jack” or “Doc” to his many friends, died in his home on May 14, 2014. Jack was born on January 31, 1928 in Wauseon, Ohio. His parents were Florence Plettner Ross and Dr. Charles Ross. He was a graduate of The Ohio State University and School of Dentistry and served in the US Army during the Korean War.
John practiced dentistry in Wauseon for 33 years.One of his patients was the “new school teacher in town”, Martha Baden. They married in 1954 and were beginning their 60th year together before his death. They had 4 daughters and one son.
First and foremost, Jack was a Buckeye fan. He planted a Buckeye Tree in his backyard and carried the first “baby Buckeye” in his pant pocket. He had a passion for all things in Nature; tending a large vegetable garden, hunting wild asparagus on the roadsides and Morel mushrooms in Michigan. He loved fishing on Lake Erie for Walleye and Perch and fly fishing in Canada. He knew when to expect to see birds in his backyard as they flew from the South in the Spring. Just days before his death, he announced the date he was expecting Northern Orioles to come through. Oranges were put out to lure the birds close to the back porch where Jack might observe them.Six beautiful orange and black orioles feasted on the oranges and gave Jack a beautiful farewell to birding. Jack traveled to over 100 countries in all 7 continents, to observe and photograph birds and animals. He recorded each sighting and listed over 4800 birds. For many years, he shared his photographs and travel tales in programs presented to schools and other organizations.
He loved to read; music was always a pleasure to him whether listening or playing piano, the trumpet or singing. His first vocal performance at the age of 9 was in a school operetta where he played “Prince Charming” to Cinderella. At that same early age he was peering over the bridge table as his parents played nightly games of bridge with their friends. He played bridge through the years, and belonged to the American Contract Bridge League.
His children and wife joined in all his exploits -a kid comes in handy jumping over a creek to collect a wild asparagus stalk!
He loved being a Grandpa to Max, Jack, and Alex. He had a great time through the years watching them play in every kind of sport. He will be so missed.
He is survived by his wife Martha (Marty), his children Gwen Ross and Kristi Ross of Columbus, and Dr. Eric Ross of Crystal River, Florida, and grandsons Max Minnillo of Columbia, S.C., Jack Minnillo and Alex Minnillo of Columbus, Ohio. His brother, Tom Ross (wife Carol) of Lincoln, Calif. also survives. Preceding him in death were his parents, and his two youngest children, a Baby Girl, and Elizabeth Ann “Buffy” Ross.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Community Health Professional Hospice, the New Pool 4 Wauseon, the Wauseon Public Library or a charity of their choice.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Community Health Professionals Hospice, the New Pool 4 Wauseon, the Wauseon Public Library, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com.