Elphird Ross Ayversone

Elphird “Ross” Ayversone, 83, of Olathe, KS, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023. He was born May 23, 1940, in Galveston, TX, the son of Ross Elphird and Maria Santos (Escobedo) Ayversone. Maria passed away shortly before Ross’ fourth birthday, so his Aunt Isabel (Maria’s older sister) and Uncle Jesse took him in to their family and assisted his father in raising him. Ross thought of their children as his siblings. When he got older, he moved back to Galveston to be with his father. He grew up in Galveston, Webster and San Antonio, TX, and attended Brackenridge Elementary in San Antonio, and Galveston Ball High School.

Ross enlisted in the Navy in 1958, served in Vietnam, and had a successful career as a Naval Aviation Electrician. He was very proud of his service in the Navy, serving 10 years on active duty reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Upon leaving active duty, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve until his retirement. During that period, he also attended the University of Houston while working a full-time job and, in 1977, was awarded the degree of Associate in Science.

In 1977 Ross met his loving wife, Rose, while they both were working at Exxon in Houston, Texas. They were married on March 28, 1980. They enjoyed traveling, which included cruises and trips to Florida, Colorado, Minnesota and around Texas to visit relatives. Ross loved playing golf with family and friends and even achieved a hole-in-one, of which he was very proud. Since he had tours of duty on the Intrepid and Forrestal carriers during the Vietnam war, he enjoyed watching movies and documentaries that had anything to do with aircraft carriers and the Navy. A few favorite movies were Top Gun, Top Gun - Maverick, and A Few Good Men. He also enjoyed watching old movies and TV shows, particularly Westerns. Ross loved listening to music and reading, having acquired a library of well over 300 books. He also was a first day cover stamp collector and, more recently, a coin collector.

In 2003, Ross and Rose moved to Kansas from Houston to be closer to her parents and family. Minnesota, where most of her family lived, was too cold in the winter, and Texas, where most of his family lived, was too hot in the summer. So, they settled in Kansas and became the Ayversone half-way house. Coming from Houston, Ross had been an avid Houston Oilers football fan. After moving to the Kansas City area, it took him a while to become a Kansas City Chiefs fan, because the Oilers and Chiefs had been strong rivals. He did, however, overcome his dislike for the Chiefs and became an enthusiastic follower.

Ross is survived by his wife, Rose, of 43 years; son Michael (Tracey) Ayversone; granddaughters Mariah and Gabriella (Gabby); sister Connie (Bob) Garcia; brothers-in-law Bill (Linda) Ryther, Don (Jeanine) Ryther, Larry (Tami) Ryther, and Mike (Sharon) Ryther; sisters-in-law Gini Dollansky, Lois (Bruce) Novak, Bev Ryther (Jim Hayden), Renee Ryther, and Nellie Villanueva. He also was loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who will miss him very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Maria Ayversone, and Jesse and Isabel Villanueva; siblings, Val Villanueva, Frank (Alice) Villanueva, Johnny (Hazel) Villanueva, Isabel (Frank) Perez, Sophie (Martin) Vidal and Rachel (Rudy) Delgado; brothers-in-law Curt Dollansky and Bob Ryther; and nephews Dana Ryther and David Ryther. May they all rest in peace and welcome their son/brother/uncle Ross home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor the life of Elphird Ross Ayversone.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilley-Frye.com for the Ayversone family. Donations may be made to your preferred veterans' organization or pet shelter.