Orrin B. Ross

Orrin Bowen (O.B.) Ross passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on February 27, 2015. He was born August 9,1929 in Lowville, NY. He was the ninth of ten children born to Orrin F. and Ella Ross. He is survived by his adoring wife of 56 years, Gail; son, Jeff Ross (Annelouise Tookoian); daughter, Laurie Culbert (Scott Serur) and grandson, Nate; daughter-in-law Laurie Ross and granddaughter, Riley. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Bill, and 5 of his siblings.

O.B. was raised on a large dairy farm, which has been in the Ross family since 1860. It was here he learned the strong work ethic that would carry him through life. While in high school he became an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Cornell University, he taught school and coached for a year before joining the U.S. Navy. While stationed at Great Lakes, he refereed high school and basketball and football games. During his time in the Navy, O.B. travelled around the world and had the good fortune to live in London, where he met another American, Gail McAlpine, whom he married in 1959.

He was stationed in three different ships, which were in the Mediterranean, Korea (during the Korean war) and the Caribbean (during the Cuban crisis). He also had many shore based assignments - Norfolk, Virginia; Cleveland, Ohio; Bath, Maine; Washington DC; Boston, Massachusetts; Guam; and Monterrey, California. During his time in the Navy he earned an MBA from George Washington University. HIs last tour of duty was as Comptroller of the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterrey, California. After retiring from a successful 23-year Naval career, O.B. went on to become a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch for 37 years. While there his mission was to always look out for each individual client.

Although he loved the Navy and his career at Merrill Lynch, his family always came first. He was the most considerate and caring person, putting everyone before himself. He was beloved by a multitude of friends and family alike, and words cannot express how deeply he will be missed.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 2 PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive, Austin.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations could be made to Hospice Austin, Assistance League of Austin or Wounded Warriors Project.