ROSS, James Ely 1922-2014
ROSS, SHEEHAN, PECK, HUGHES, HOLUBAR, HOHLER
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 5/22/2014 at 23:39:47
[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Sunday, January 19, 2014]
James Ely Ross passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, in Seattle, Wash., of failing health and other medical complications.
Jim was born Aug. 22, 1922, to James Sorenson Ross and Kathleen Sheehan Ross in LaPorte, Ind. The family moved later to Waterloo, where Jim graduated from Waterloo West High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa). He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served until June 1945 when he was honorably discharged. He enrolled in Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in August 1949. He was employed by The Boeing Company in the spring of 1949 as a design engineer and moved to Seattle in September 1949, retiring in 1992. He married Marilynne Jeannine Peck on May 27, 1949, and they both attended Iowa State College that summer quarter prior to moving to Seattle.
Jim was awarded a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Dec. 20, 1957, from The University of Washington, Seattle. His career at Boeing included design work on programs such as the P-26, B-17, SRAM, B-50, BOMARC, 747, B-52, and U.S. Air Force B-1B Bomber aircraft.
Jim thoroughly enjoyed the Pacific Northwest and was active in a variety of activities over the years -- golfing, Seattle Symphony, boating in the San Juan and Gulf Islands (having built his 22-foot Christ Craft pleasure boat), snow skiing, football (University of Washington and Seattle Seahawks). He also built a cabin on Mason Lake in Washington State where he and his family enjoyed many happy summers. Traveling was also a favorite of his -- touring most of the United States as well as traveling overseas -- twice to Sweden, Norway and Denmark, Europe, SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. He was an avid Boxer (dog) fan and had Boxers all of his life after he and his wife moved into their West Seattle home in January 1953. He also was active in remodeling their home from time to time and designed many big projects to accommodate the family's changing needs.
Memberships included Pacific Northwest Boxer Club (life member), WSU Retirees Association, First United Methodist Church of Seattle and Paradise Estates Association.
Jim was preceded in death of his son, Geoffrey Erik; his mother and father; two sisters, Elizabeth Hughes and Annette Holubar; and two brothers, Henry Ross and Herbert Ross; and one nephew, Ross Hohler.
Survivors include his wife, Marilynne, married 64 years; daughter Shawna Lee Ross; granddaughter Sarah Suzanne Rumery; sister (Phyllis Hohler); five nieces and one nephew; as well as many great-nephews and nieces.
Committal service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in the mausoleum at Garden of Memories Cemetery, with military rites by Waterloo AMVETS Post No. 19 and Evansdale Post No. 31 and the Iowa National Guard.
A special memorial service will be planned for later in Seattle.
The family expresses appreciation to The Group Health Cooperative medical staff for their health care for Jim and Florence of Seattle for their loving care in his extended illnesses.
Remembrances may be made to The American Heart Association, The American Cancer or to a charity of choice.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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