Ralph Dale Ross Sr.

Ralph Dale Ross 86, of Denison, Texas passed away January 23, 2023. He was born November 10, 1936, at Havana, Kansas to William Cleon and Laura Marie Davis Ross. He was preceded in death by his parents and son Terry Eugene Ross, wife Sara Beth Ross, brother Harrison Cleon Ross, sister Alice Marie Rolston, sister Judy Derry and stepson David Paul Sanders. He is survived by one son, Ralph Dale Ross Jr. and wife Debbie of Katy, Texas and daughter Laura Irene Crockett of Magnolia, Texas, Sister Norma Louise Thompson of Casper, Wyoming, and stepchildren Dwight Sanders of Dewey, Oklahoma and Cynthia Sanders of Dewey, Oklahoma. grandsons Shannon Dale Ross, Robert Alexander Ross, John Derrick Crockett and Travis Dale Ross, one grand-daughter Christina Elaine Crockett, one great grandson Kyle Terry Ross, step grandchildren Robert Sanders, Travis Sanders, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Paul Sanders and Wife Devin of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, several nephews, Nieces and cousins. Dale was a product of the Havana education system graduating in 1954 where he served four years on the Student Council and lettered in basketball and baseball and was a member of the boys and mixed choruses. Dale was proud to have served in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1957 as Radarman Petty Officer third class. He was an active leader in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and was the proud father of two Eagle Scouts and grandfather of one, Shannon. He assisted with Laura's Girl Scout Troop and was affectionately known as the "Cookie Monster" by the girls in the troop. Laura returned to college as an adult and earned degrees in Business and Accounting which was a great source in pride for Dad. The successes of his children and grandchildren gave him much pride in being their father. After the Navy Dale moved to Houston, TX where he married his children's mother, Carrol Jean Derrick. Carrol passed away in 2006. After their divorce in 1993 he married Sara Beth Newkirk and they moved to Denison in 1998 for retirement. His lifelong curiosity led him to seek his family roots and he spent several years researching his family genealogy. He located many unknown relatives and enjoyed getting to know them. Born during the depression he experienced humility early in life, worked hard as a farm boy and appreciated the strong work ethic he was taught and believed that anyone that worked as hard as he did deserve to keep what they earned and that any task worth doing deserved one's best efforts. Upon arrival in Houston his first job was as a car salesman where he was informed that to be a successful salesman required a man to have larceny in his heart. He knew that would not work for him and soon pursued the retail trade. After several pressure filled years, he left retail for manufacturing and served 35 years as a metallurgical Heat-Treater at a Houston Aerospace firm until retirement. He and Sara relocated to Denison upon retirement to enjoy small town life they so richly respected. A viewing will be held on Friday February 10, 2023, at Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma from 9am-5pm. Graveside services will then be held at the Havana, Kansas Cemetery, Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10am, directed by Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Ralph Dale Ross Sr.

November 10, 1936 - January 23, 2023