James Harlow Ross

James H. Ross was born in Chewelah, Washington at St. Joseph’s Hospital on August 9, 1932, to Steven and Margaret Ross. He and his six siblings grew up in their childhood home at Ross Acres. In 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna (Alby) Ross. After 33 years of marriage, having raised four children together, his beloved wife, Donna, passed away in 1983.

Jim was a Journeyman Electrician, working and living within the Columbia Basin area. In 1964, he and his wife, Donna, settled in Othello, Washington with their four children. Initially working for the Milwaukee Railroad, he worked with several other area businesses over the next ten years. He had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and was actively involved with many business ventures. In 1974, he began a new business venture when he purchased a local small business, Fox Harvesting. Through the years he became well known in the potato industry as “The Fox”. Through perseverance, hard work and dedication he built the business up, branching out in 1990 to startup a second business in Oregon, aptly named Fox Harvesting of Oregon, Inc. This legacy lives on through his sons, with Roger Ross operating the Oregon corporation and Jeff Ross operating the Washington corporation.

In 1994, Jim married his second wife, Loreta (Petroviceva) Ross, bringing her and her son, Jonas to Washington State from their home in Lithuania. His wife, Loreta, still resides in their home in Othello, Washington.

James H. Ross is survived by his wife Loreta Ross, daughter Jana Page (Robert) of Kennewick, WA, daughter Debbie Vaagen (Duane) of Colville, WA, son Roger Ross (Debbie) of Hermiston, OR, son Jeff Ross of Quincy, WA, and step-son Jonas Ausiura of Othello, WA, sister Betsy Edwards (Harper) of Chewelah, WA, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna (Alby) Ross, his parents, Steven and Margaret Ross, his siblings, Calvin, Eric, Marjorie, Paul and David.

Your presence, your love and light, which you so selflessly gave to all you knew, will be dearly missed. Your journey has ended, go with the Lord and enjoy a well-deserved Rest in Peace. We have no doubt that you will continue spreading your charming charisma!!! We dearly love you.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Stevens Funeral Chapel in Othello.

Arrangements under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel, Othello, WA.