Morris W. Ross "Buddy"

Morris Wilbur Ross (Buddy) passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Katherine Powell Ross; parents, Irene McCoy Ross & Morris Ross (Cap); sister, Betty Ross Thompson Sawyer; and grandson, Bobby Ross.

He is survived by his 3 children, Katherine Ross Johnson Wrenn (Tom), Mac Ross (Cindi), & Judy Ross Edwards (Johnny Edwards); 10 grandchildren Mary Kay Johnson Deese (Andrew), Sherry Edwards Getchell (Corey), John Edwards (Erin Monroe), Leslie Ross Sealey (Chris), Andrew Ross Johnson (Lisa), Conor Ross (Ashlie Lopez), Mallory Ross, Tom Wrenn, Jr. (Michelle), Tammy Wrenn Banner (Bob), Amy Wrenn Winans,; 19 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren; niece, Lauren Thompson Eler (Refik) & Austin Eler.

He was a life-long resident of Jacksonville, FL, attending the same elementary, junior high and high school as his 3 children. His 1st retirement was from the Jacksonville Dept. of Public Works as the Finance & Budget Control Supervisor. His 2nd retirement in 1993 was from the Fla. Dept. of Revenue as Deputy Administrator of the Collection & Enforcement Division.

As a gifted athlete, he played baseball, then church league softball until the age of 55, and church league bowling beyond that. He was an avid golfer until the age of 87, enjoying the friendships & golfing vacations as much as the sport. His many trophies gave him the opportunity to share memories surrounding each sporting accolade.

As much as he loved sports, his true passion was his family, friends, and church. His grandmother was a founding member of Woodlawn Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and worked with teens. He and his friend, Eddie Parrish, established “Teenspiration” where teens were invited to Woodlawn Baptist Church on Saturday nights for volleyball, fellowship, and an opportunity to witness the love of Christ. For many years, this calling of teens to Christ, was culminated with a Youth Retreat at Park of the Palms in Keystone Heights, FL. He was a deacon at Murray Hill Baptist Church, then a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. When he could no longer drive, his loving friends drove him to Island View Baptist Church in Orange Park where he loved and was loved by a welcoming congregation. When he could no longer attend church, he continued to read his Sunday School lesson every Saturday night to prepare for a spirit of worship on Sunday.

In his last month, he lived at the home of his daughter, Judy. How appropriate that his personal resurrection occurred not long after spending Easter Sunday surrounded by 40 extended family members as they celebrated the foundation of his faith.

Burial will be 10:00am at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Boulevard on Tuesday, April 23, 2017. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 11:00am at Island View Baptist Church, 900 Park Ave., Orange Park, Florida. Everyone is invited for lunch following the service with a time for visiting with family & friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverside Presbyterian House, 2020 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32205; Island View Baptist Church, 900 Park Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073 or Community Hospice, 5450 Ramona Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205.