Claude Dee Ross

Claude Dee Ross, after 80 love-filled years with us, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2016 at home in Pflugerville following a long battle with lymphoma and Parkinson's. The love of his life, constant companion and wife of 61 years, Carolyn, was at his side, as was their daughter Charlotte and son Clendon.

Born on August 7, 1936 at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Claude joined an already packed house. Parents Thomas and Gussie Ross had already been blessed with his sister Helen and brothers Billy, Thomas and Darrel, and brother Kenny and sisters Kay and Sandra would join the family soon. Family get-togethers, full of food, football, politics, gambling and, most of all, laughter, were a focus from those first days to the last.

Claude attended Austin High and graduated from Breckenridge High School in San Antonio. Love quickly brought him back to Austin, where he married his sweetheart Carolyn Jo Jarmon on June 1, 1955, living with Carolyn and mother-in-law Aldephyne Jarmon. Charlotte was born just over a year later. While working at night to support his young family, Claude continued his education at the University of Texas where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1966.

He had a long, successful career as a systems analyst with the State of Texas, first with the Comptroller's office and then the Railroad Commission. After retiring from the state, Claude worked at one of his passions as a golf marshall at Lost Creek in Austin and fulfilled a lifelong dream, moving with Carolyn to 11 acres outside Lexington, Texas, raising cattle, goats, donkeys and beloved dogs Jolie and Ruffin.

Claude and Carolyn spent the last six years in Pflugerville, close to family and friends. Over the final weeks of his life, the kindness, compassion and professionalism of Brookdale Home Health and Brookdale Hospice, particularly Suzanne Franka, provided incredible care and comfort.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helen, brothers Billy, Thomas, Darrel and Kenny, brother-in-law Jim and sisters-in-law Pat and Margaret. He's survived by wife Carolyn, daughter Charlotte and husband Larry Dill and son Clendon (Shannon Smith), granddaughters Chelly Almestica and Allison Dill (Joseph Greeness), great granddaughter Cimone Almestica and great grandsons Felix IV, Camden and Cayden Almestica, sisters Kay Ross of Dallas and Sandra Hartley of Brookesmith, numerous special nieces and nephews, cousins and sister-in-law Janie Haddaway and husband Jim.

Memorial contributions can be sent in Claude's name to St. Johns United Methodist Church (2140 Allandale Rd., Austin, TX 78756). Also, one of the biggest joys throughout Claude's life was the family pets, so another fitting memorial would be a donation to your local Humane Society or animal shelter.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2016 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel with Rev. Paul Escamilla presiding. Interment at Austin Memorial Park followed by a reception at the family home.