John Phelps Ross

Mr. Ross was born October 30, 1923, in Charlotte, a son of the late Robert Galloway Ross and Lucy Ellis Ross.

He graduated from Central High School and from N.C. State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. At N.C. State, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.

During World War II, Mr. Ross served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1943-46, including service on Okinawa and in Korea. After his military service, he completed his college education at N.C. State.

In 1949, he married the former Marcia Black, who predeceased him in 2001.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. Ross was predeceased by his brother, Robert Galloway Ross Jr., and his sister, Alice Yates Ross.

In 1949, Mr. Ross, his brother and their father incorporated R.G. Ross & Co., Inc., a company supplying commercial building materials to contractors in North Carolina and South Carolina. He was president, and worked in the company until he retired in 1992. During his years with R.G. Ross & Co., he became associate president of the Carolinas Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association.

He owned and enjoyed a residence at North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and later at Windy Hill, S.C., where he loved to fish in the surf and from the piers and relax with his beloved family. He was a longtime member of Olde Providence Racquet & Swim Club, and for years enjoyed playing recreational tennis. A loyal N.C. State fan, he followed the Wolfpack’s football and basketball games throughout his life.

Mr. Ross is survived by two sons, John Phelps “Skip” Ross, Jr. and his wife, Celeste Merritt Ross, and Rodney Black Ross, all of Charlotte; a daughter, Bonnie Ross Cooper and her husband, Jack M. Cooper, of Danville, Va.; three grandchildren, Amy Ross Peterson and her husband Jason Peterson, Jennifer Ross Keely and her husband David Keely, and John Phelps Ross III and his wife, Marcella Carneiro Ross, all of Charlotte; four great-grandchildren, Caroline Ellis Keely, Anna Merritt Peterson, Gaither Ross Keely, Lucille Thomas Peterson, all of Charlotte; and another great-granddaughter due in March.

The service to celebrate the life of Mr. Ross will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, in the Chapel of Harry & Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. Family will greet friends from 1 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.