Roy Ross

Roy Ross, lovingly referred to as "Pops, Pop-Pop, Unc and Boss Ross", was with us for 85 years. Roy departed this life after a lengthy illness, on Thursday, March 24, 2016. Father was born on May 22, 1930 in Darlington, South Carolina to Liza Woods and Forrest Lighty. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Willie, Frank, Lee, Grady, Maggie and Lillian Ross; Corrine Prince, Annie Moe Slater, Mitty Lyde, and Charolette Lighty-Jacobs; three of his sons, Ernest, Joseph and Tarry Ross; his grandson, Joseph Jr. Father attended public schools in Darlington, South Carolina. In 1949, he married Clara Bosman, the mother of his children. He relocated with his family to Baltimore City to pursue an employment opportunity. That opportunity included helping to construct The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. He continued in construction and joined local Union 149. Father was instrumental in several major construction jobs in Baltimore, Maryland. • Sparrows Point Shipyard • Cumberland Hart Construction • Consolidated Engineering • Whiting Turner • Prince Construction • Helped to build Friendship Airport, which is currently called Thurgood Marshall BWI Airport •He was instrumental in the construction of major structures and skyscrapers in Baltimore. * He also helped to build Johns Hopkins Roy was a loving father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Father loved spending time with his family, including his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He enjoyed going to the park to play baseball, have cookouts and play cards. Father was a gentle, loving, kind-hearted man who was willing to help anyone that he could. He loved to dress as if he were on the cover of a magazine, whether in a suit or wearing khakis, and let's not forget those hats! He gave his time in the community by opening and setting up for AA meetings at Mustard Seed Community Center. He faithfully gave donations and his time to various charities, such as The Fellowship of Christians and Jews, The Helping Up Mission and various churches. Father would arise faithfully every Sunday, dressed like "Mr GQ", and attend worship services, as he had a very real relationship with God. The highfight of his week was going to his daughter Lisa's house for dinner after worship. He especially loved to see other family members show up so that he could challenge them to a game of spades. Everyone knows he was famous for somehow ALWAYS having the big joker. Summers found Father happiest as he would go to Eastern Regional Park with his family to play ball, cards and enjoy good food. He really looked forward to the sweetest tasting watermelon that his son Leroy was able to get for him. Father was VERY INDEPENDENT and LOVED IT!! Even if for only a few days, Roy loved returning to his roots visiting family in South Carolina or packing a bag to visit other states or countries. Once, he even traveled all the way to Hawaii for a visit consisting of 3 days Father retired, the FIRST time in 1999, at the age of 69. He went back to work for 1 year then retired the SECOND time in 2000 at the age of 70. Roy leaves to mourn and to cherish his memory: his former wife, Clara Ross; his children, Lisa (Terrance) Hall of Baltimore, Leroy Ross (Arnetta) of Baltimore, Eddie Lee (Alice) Davis of Darlington, South Carolina, Loretta Williams of Baltimore, Willie Bosman of Baltimore, and David Ross of Baltimore; twenty-one grandchildren, fiftythree great-grandchildren, eleven great-great-great grandchildren; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and a whole host of friends.

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Roy Ross

May 22, 1930 - March 24, 2016