John Ross

Heading: John W. Ross (Veteran) Dateline: Taylors John W. (Johnny) Ross of Taylors, SC, surrounded by his family, went home to be with the Lord on February 28, 2008 after a brief illness. He was 83. Born and raised in the Pleasant Hill Community of northern Greenville County, he was the son of the late Boyd and Edith (Dill) Ross. He was a graduate of Jordan High School and Clemson University. John’s college years were interrupted by WWII when he joined the Navy in 1944 to fight in the Pacific. He finished Clemson in 1949 with a degree in Horticulture and later received his MED from Clemson. While at Clemson, he was a member of the track, baseball and basketball teams. His career as an educator and coach carried him through several schools within Greenville County where he impacted the lives of countless young men and women. His teaching career led him to Belvue Elementary, Jordan, Blue Ridge and Taylors High Schools and most notably to Wade Hampton High where he taught and coached track, golf and basketball from 1960 through 1981 earning State 4A Titles in basketball in ’70 and ’71. He led his teams to 528 basketball wins over his career. In 1957 he married the late Barbara Ann Odom who taught with him while at Taylors High. They joined Taylors First Baptist Church and started their family. John’s love for the outdoors began at an early age and he enjoyed gardening in the summers and a fishing trip was always a likelihood. He spent his last few years of declining health at Alterra Sterling House Assisted Living Home in Taylors where he enjoyed fellowship and a relaxed lifestyle. The common thread that ran through his life whether on the court or off, in the classroom or at home, in the garden or on the lake, was his strong faith in God. It carried him through the years and has led him to the gates of eternal Heaven. He was predeceased by his older brother, T.F. Ross. John is survived by his children and their families; Cathy Ross Trapp of Kingsport, TN and husband Bill, their children Leslie Trapp Jowers of Mt. Airy, GA and husband, Austin, David Trapp of Greenville; Ann Ross of Tallahassee, FL and son Ben Barnard, Kelly Ross of Taylors and wife Kathleen and their sons Kaleb and Daniel. Visitation will be held Monday, March 3, 2008 in the gathering space at Taylors First Baptist Church beginning at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service celebrating his life at 2:30p.m. Burial will take place following the service at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Greer. The family will be at the home of Kelly Ross, 27 Bay Point Way, Taylors. Memorials may be sent to Taylors First Baptist Church, Missions Ministry, 200 West Main Street, Taylors, SC 29687 or Wade Hampton High School, John W. Ross Memorial Fund, 100 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

John Ross

October 20, 1924 - February 28, 2008