James Lowell Ross

James L. Ross, 93, passed away early in the morning on December 31, 2020 after several days of compassionate care at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lees Summit, MO.

James, aka Jim, was born on November 20, 1927 in Paris, Tennessee to Ivie (Lubie) and John Ross. He was one of 7 siblings and moved to Independence, MO while still in high school with his family, where he graduated from the original William Chrisman High School on the Independence Square. After high school graduation, he attended Graceland University in Iowa where he first studied Psychology, graduating with his Bachelor’s before continuing to receive his Masters Degree from William Jewell in Liberty, MO in 1954.

Jim met the love of his life, Wilda Florene Nelson, shortly after he had finished his schooling and they married in June of 1958. They built their forever home together in Independence, MO where they raised their 2 children, Joni, who was born in 1961 and Mark, who was born in 1965. Their home became the place for family gatherings throughout the years with their large extended family and is still a treasure to this day for his children and grandchildren. Wilda was a music teacher, played cello for the symphony and active in their church, while Jim had a career at Armco Steel until retirement in 1979. After retirement, Jim went on to several projects helping family and friends with numerous business ventures and continued his faith journey as an Elder in the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Faith was always something Jim made a priority, along with family and community outreach programs for the disabled. He loved spending time with family and friends with many reunions, gatherings, BBQs and parties, going for daily walks, and a nightly crossword puzzle.

In 1989, his only grandchild, Danielle (Dani Jo), was born and they were best friends from day 1. Shortly after she was born, his wife Wilda began a journey with dementia and eventually Alzheimer’s that Jim held her hand through and fought until the very end in November of 2003. After her passing, he met his next companion, Dixie, and the two wed a few years later. Jim stayed in his forever home where he loved to garden many vegetables, landscape, feed and watch all of the birds and wildlife that ventured up the creek and sit on his back porch while enjoying the seasons and the slower pace. He was a truly wonderful, compassionate, and devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his 3 great- grandchildren, uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews who called him Uncle Jamie, and all who knew him.

He will be terribly missed by those who survive him: his wife, Dixie, children Joni and Mark (wife Knikki), grandchild Dani, great-grandchildren Savannah, Lilliana and Jameson, his remaining siblings and all extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 7 from 5-7pm at the Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, MO. A private service will be held for family to honor James.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund for a tree planting in a public park will be set up so that all may enjoy nature as he did. Please contact the family directly for further details on how to make a donation.