Ross "Jay" was born on February 10, 1950 in Indianapolis to the late Rosswell Jackson and Elizabeth Ruth (Morgan) Stowers and graduated from Clinton Central High School in Clinton County, Indiana. Ross earned a degree in Physics from Purdue University. He retired from Continental Tire, after a decades long career there and at predecessor company, General Tire.
During his time at Purdue he met the love of his life Deborah "Debbie" Kline. He was united in marriage to Debbie on June 2, 1973, at the Salamonie Church of the Brethren. She preceded him in death on December 20, 2012.
Throughout his life Ross was very active and enjoyed running and playing basketball. Ross and Debbie were longtime members of Hartville Church of the Brethren. He loved to work on computers and play video games in his free time. But most of all Ross will be fondly remembered for his love of reading and his extensive library that was available to his friends and family at a moment's notice.
Survivors include a son: Aaron (Christina) Stowers of Washington D.C.; a daughter: Elizabeth "Beth" (Christopher) Plotts of Ann Arbor; a brother: Craig (Martha) Stowers of Corvallis, Oregon; two sisters: Diana (Brent) Sanders of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Dana Dykstra of Urbana, Illinois; a step sister: Barbara Osbon of Lebanon, Indiana; four grandchildren: Mirabelle Plotts, Matthew Stowers, Grimm Robert J Plotts, Eva Stowers; family member: Norma Young; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother Drew Stowers, brother-in-law Dr. Clifford Dykstra, and nephew Conner Dykstra.
A visitation will be held on Thursday June 18, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, located at 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Andrews.
Memorial Contributions can be made out to Child Life Services of University of Michigan Hospital Fund #212568 in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.
