Ross Miller

Ross Miller, 93, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2011 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was surrounded by family and his beloved wife Violet. Ross was born on September 26, 1918 in Lincoln, Missouri to Elzie Rubin Miller and Eula Marshall Miller. Ross was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Ross spent his youth in Windsor, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri until joining the Navy in 1937. Ross served on the USS Arizona prior to World War II. Ross married his sweetheart Violet J. Hagenah when they eloped on July 5, 1939, in Lexington, Missouri. Ross and Violet moved to Washington where Ross worked at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard until the bombing at Pearl Harbor. Ross reenlisted in the Navy after the commencement of World War II and served on the USS Donner during the War. Ross served as a deep sea diver. Following World War II, Ross and Violet moved to Kansas City, Missouri and opened their first business, BCA Cleaners. Ross and Violet successfully operated their drycleaning business for over seventeen years. Thereafter, Ross and Violet opened Ross Miller Ford Tractor, Inc., a tractor, farm implement business located in Harrisonville, Missouri. After many successful years operating Ross Miller Ford Tractor, Ross and Violet sold the business with the expectation of semi-retirement while managing their farms. In the early 80’s Ross and Violet again became active in business through opening Miller – Hayes Country Chrysler in Harrisonville which Ross operated with his family for five years. Ross and Violet enjoyed many years traveling the North American Continent in their motor home with the “Chief Winnebago Club.” Ross was active in the American Legion, Ivanhoe Masonic Lodge and Ararat Shrine for sixty-seven years. Ross is survived by his wife Violet of Seventy Three years, his son Ross Miller and his wife Carol, and his daughter Connie Ott. Ross is survived by five grandchildren, Shawn Miller and his wife Laurie, Tyler Miller, Patrick Miller and his wife Amy Jo, Desre Thompson and her husband Steve, Kristine Cole and her husband Brian, and eight great grandchildren, Shawn Miller, Paige Miller, Jordan Thompson, Kailey Thompson, Sarah Cole, McKenna Cole, Jaron Cole and Josie Miller. Visitation will be held 12:00 -1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20 followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ararat Shrine Temple Wings of Mercy, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64129. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.