Gerald Ross passed away suddenly Dec. 3, 2007, at Regency Care Center in Arlington, Wash., from complications of aging, disabilities from WWII and a final stroke.
Gerald was born in Nanaimo, B.C. on Dece. 21, 1924, to Henry and Bernice (Card) Ross. Henry was logging on Vancouver Island at the time and his family was with him. Their logging company was burned out in a fire two and a half years later and the family moved back to Warm Beach where Gerakd grew up, very poor.
He attended a country school and then high school in Stanwood, Wash. During these years Gerald acquired the nickname Tom because of his admiration for the cowboy star Tom Mix.
Gerald joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Sept. 19, 1941. He served valiantly in the Pacific Islands in the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan. He was wounded on Tarawa and lost his left shoulder and part of his left arm on Saipan. He was shipped stateside and spent nine months recovering in the Seattle Naval Hospital and Portland, Ore., Veterans Administration Hospital. He received two Presidential Unit Citations for valor, the Bronze Star, two Purple Heats for his numerous wounds, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Medal and Expert Rifleman Medal. Jerry underwent heart surgery in 1996 and the doctors removed lead bullet fragments from his heart that he carried from the battle of Tarawa some 53 years that came a millimeter from killing him outright.
Gerald married Betty Jo (Decker) Ross on Nov. 28, 1944. Although he didnt quite make his 83rd birthday, he and Betty Jo did celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary with dinner, including his sons and their wives.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Betty Jo; his two sons, Vernon and wife Carolyn and their children Tamara (Wayne), Renee (Mac) and Shelly (Bill); David and wife Debby and their children Thomas (Tara), Matthew, Jonathan and Andrew; ten great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Carolyn Ross, special granddaughter Angie and numerous nieces and nephews.
This man was an accomplished logger, truck driver, salesman and he eventually owned his own business Ross Sand and Gravel (1956-1981). He taught these trades to dozens and dozens of his family of employees. Jerry was your friend first, your boss and also fellow co-worker. It was easy to work hard for Jerry. He gave everyone the confidence and training they needed to succeed. Many of his employees became business owners themselves with Jerrys encouragement.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting and passed this love to his sons and grandchildren. Jerry liked to watch a good western on television and in later years, football. It was his favorite sport in high school, although he participated in all sports offered and was a good athlete.
Jerry loved to eat lunch with the Monday Out to Lunch Bunch, which included Ed, Jim, Vern, David, Gary and whoever wanted to be included that day.
If asked in the last two years since his first stroke How are you doing, Jerry? his response was always, Getting better every day. His stories and positive attitude and beautiful smile will be missed very much by family and friends. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and was greatly loved by all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bernice Ross, his sister Erma Leque, his brothers Bernard, Robert, Damon, Raymond and Alvin.
Visitation was from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 10 – 11, 2007, at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood. Graveside services will be Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, 11 a.m., at Anderson Cemetery on the old Pioneer Hwy just south of town. A luncheon for gathering and reminiscing will be at the American Legion Hall, 26921 88th Avenue NW, Stanwood, next to Gilbertson Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the many firemen, doctors, nurses, aids and Regency Care Center in Arlington for their concern and care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marysville Fire District No. 12 who quickly and cheerfully came to Jerrys aid many times when Jerry would fall.
Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.