Mr. Lyman "Blackie" Joseph Ross Sr.

Lyman “Blackie” Joseph James Ross, Sr., 72-years-old, passed away on Monday, August 2nd, 2021, after a brief, but hard-fought battle with cancer. His strong will to live, unwavering faith, and the love and prayers of family and friends carried him through until the end. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and war hero.

Lyman was born on February 2nd, 1949, in Houston, Texas to Amy Celestine Duplantis and Richard Everett Ross, Jr. He grew up with his sister, Lydia Ann and brothers Richard, Leo, his twin, and Patrick.

After attending Jefferson Davis High School, he bravely and willingly enlisted to serve in the United States Army from June 1967 to June 1969. During his tenure in the army, he served as an 11B20, light weapons infantryman. He also fought in the battle of the Tet Offensive. He earned numerous medals for his courage and service to our country which include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, 2 Overseas Service Bars, and Marksman Rifle. He had a deep sense of patriotism. If called upon to serve for his country once more, he would do so without hesitation. He was a hero not only to this country, but to his family.

Lyman was married to his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Rosa, for 53 years. Together, they raised their 3 dear children, Janie Ann, Lisa Michelle, and Lyman Joseph, Jr. He was a dedicated husband and father. He instilled in his family the value of faith, family, respect, kindness, and the importance of education.

As a husband, he and Rosa shared a love to be envious of. They were inseparable from the first day they met and faced everything life threw at them together. He was completely devoted to her as she was to him. He sacrificed everything to give her the life they envisioned and she sacrificed everything to give him the care he needed. Their love was and is like no other. Even in his last days he was still matching the color of her outfits and singing their favorite song “When a man loves a woman” by Percy Sledge.

As a young father, he created wonderful memories with his children. Like Friday movie nights, homemade kites, fishing and crabbing, gazing at the stars, making toast with butter and sugar in the broiler, reading bedtime stories, and leading their bedtime prayers. When they grew up and started their lives he was always there to lend a hand, give advice, listen, talk about the old times, and share his joyous presence. He never missed the important moments and never failed to let his children know how proud he was of them. His one desire was that his children be united, happy, and for them to live a better life than he had.

As a grandfather and great-grandfather he went out of his way to be there for the special moments—no matter how small—and to put a smile on their face. He was like a big kid around them trying to entertain them and make them laugh. He loved when they came to visit him at his job and making them sugar cube water in a coffee cup because he knew it made them happy to feel like big boys and girls. He loved having them over in Brenham for the weekends, summer, holidays like Easter and New Years and made sure they had a grand old time. These times included trips to the Green Door for cream soda and ice-cream, nights of playing card games, and surprising them with animals like chicks, rabbits, and ducks. He also loved making his secret-recipe overnight turkey stuffing for them when Thanksgiving came. Above all, he made sure they knew how much he loved them and how proud he was of them.

To everyone else he was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important—the simplicity of living a life with those you love. So rare that it is difficult to put into words everything he meant to those that loved him.

He was selfless and never hesitated to put the needs of others before himself. He had a beautiful contagious smile and a warm presence that lit up a room wherever he went. He was a man of strong faith. He prayed the rosary daily for those in need and had sweet conversations with God every morning. He loved the country. You could often find him sitting outside of his ranch in Brenham enjoying the breeze and appreciating its beauty and peace and listening to his favorite oldie’s music. He loved laughing and joking around with family and friends. He loved his Texas Lottery. He loved his western movies—especially the ones starring John Wayne. And he sure loved his ice cold Dr. Pepper.

Lyman was all of those things and so much more. Although a future without him feels unsure, everyone is a better person because they were loved by him. We can only hope to live up to the example of love, strength, character, and integrity he set. The sweetest compliment we can hope to hear is “grandpa would be proud.” He will be forever remembered for his beautiful smile, gentle eyes, caring heart, loving embrace and unconditional love. Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate his life and find comfort that he is in heaven watching over us. He was our hero, but Heaven was needing a hero too. Someone just like him.

Left to honor his legacy and cherish his memories are his wife Rosita, daughter Janie Ann Uresti and husband Hector Uresti, daughter Lisa Michelle Torres and husband Norberto Torres, and son Lyman Joseph Ross, Jr. and dearly missed late wife Frances Castillo Ross, grandchildren: Domonique Rosita Perez and husband Armando DeLuna Jr., Brittany Ariana Fernandez and husband Kyle Ross Fernandez, Robert Joseph Torres, Nancy Mendez Hernandez, Richard Jonathan Torres, Samantha Michelle Torres, Tyra Lashall Skinner Torres, Isabella Francisca Ross, Summer Rose Ross, Lyman Joseph Ross, III, great grandchildren: Sophia Alyssa Perez and Adaley Frances DeLuna, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

He is reunited in Heaven with his parents, siblings, Uncle Lyman, his daughter-in-law Frances Castillo Ross, sister-in-law Lydia Vasquez, brothers-in-law Mario Vasquez and Victor Salazar, and nephews Petie Vasquez, Jessie Infante, Cesar Cerda, and a wealth of family and friends.

Due to the current circumstances related to the Coronavirus, a private service will be held at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home, per the family’s request. However, all are welcome to participate virtually at the livestream: https://www.facebook.com/EarthmanResthaven/. The Rosary will begin at 6:30 PM. A mass in his honor will be held in the future once conditions improve. The family is thankful for your support and understanding during this time.