Donald Gene Ross born in Muncie, Indiana on 24 June 1940 to Arthur M. Ross and Mary Eleanor Moler Ross died 15 June 2023 of lung cancer. He is survived by his second wife, Janet, children Cynthia Marie (David), Donald Gene II (Bonnie), Doan Gary, and Devon Guy (Gina), nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a brother Thomas Charles (Tina). He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Rosalie Marie.

Don graduated from Bowling Green State University with a math education major and a commission in the Air Force through the ROTC program. Flying 6,000 hours over a 20-year career, he flew and instructed in T-37s, T-38s, O-2s, OV-10s, and F-100s. Duty assignments included Vance AFB, OK, Luke AFB, AZ, Vietnam (where he flew 700 hours as a combat Forward Air Controller), RAF Lakenheath, England, Sembach AB, Germany, Vance AFB again, Sembach AB again, and Patrick AFB, FL.

Don’s second career was as a Professor of Education and Dean of Students at Concordia College, a Lutheran Liberal Arts College in Bronxville, NY. While there, he earned Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Education Administration and Supervision at Columbia University. He was also certified as a commissioned teacher in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

A third career could be described as a professional volunteer. Retiring to homes in TN and then FL, he served on education, leadership, and help-line boards. He served in his congregations as an Elder, Chairman of the Board of Education, and school bus driver. He led five-month-long mission trips to China and served on one to Kenya. In addition, Don taught junior-high math one year, managed the Local Federal Census Office in 2000 and 2010, and was a tour bus driver-guide for Princess Cruise Lines in Alaska for three summers.

Remember 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope (faith, trust) that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.”

We reserved a block of rooms for those needing hotel accommodations for the memorial service in Florida at the Hampton Inn in Mount Dora. The room rate is discounted to $145 a night plus tax. Space is limited and available from October 19th to the 21st. The hotel will hold the rooms until September 19, 2023, so make your reservation before that date if you plan to attend. Please contact either Devon, Cindy, or leave a comment on this website for the reservation code before calling the hotel for reservations at 352-383-4267.

The family will be attending church at Faith Lutheran on the following Sunday morning at 10 am if you would like to join us.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/donald-g-ross/obituary/

Copy