Col. George A Ross

Raised in Bloomfield, New Jersey, George graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1957, lettering in football and baseball. He attended the University of Rochester on a football scholarship, lettering in football and baseball. He graduated with honors from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1962, lettering in wrestling.

George enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1963, completed Officer Candidates School on May 24, 1963, and immediately entered Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, graduating in November 1963.

George was a Reconnaissance and Rifle Platoon Commander in the 2nd Marine Division before entering Navy flight school in May 1965; he graduated in June 1966. He proudly served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, flying UH–34s with HMM–163, CH-46s with HMM-164, and UH-1s with VMO-6. During his service in Vietnam, George was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. George had a distinguished Marine Corps career, including serving as Commanding Officer of HMA–369 at Camp Pendleton, California, flying AH-1J Cobra Attack Helicopters and UH-1N Huey helicopters.

In 1969, while serving as a jet instructor in Meridian, Mississippi, George met the love of his life, Nan Seligman, on a blind date in Pensacola, Florida; they were married for 56 years.

During George’s Marine Corps career, he and his family lived in Mississippi, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Kansas. George, also, had several unaccompanied deployments all over the world, many in Okinawa, Japan. While in Kansas from 1976-1977, George earned his second Master’s Degree at the Army Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth. After Kansas, the family returned to the San Diego area. George retired in 1984, proudly serving his country for twenty years.

In 1984, George went to work for Hughes Helicopters which became McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company and in 1985, George and Nan moved to Mesa, Arizona. George flew for McDonnell-Douglas until 1991 when he was hired by Southwest Airlines. George was forced to retire from Southwest Airlines in 1999 because of the Age 60 Rule. He spent the next ten years flying 737 charter flights which included transporting professional hockey teams and celebrities and teaching 737 ground school and simulator classes.

While George was flying for Southwest Airlines, he and Nan moved to Cave Creek, AZ, into the home their children affectionately called the “Desert Palace”. George became very involved in this small community, serving on the Board of Adjustment, the Budget Committee, running various Political Action Committees for local elections and participating in the preservation of the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. George enjoyed his twice weekly breakfast groups with “the locals” and was a regular customer at the various coffee shops in town.

George exemplified Jack London’s quote: “The function of a man is to live, not to exist.” Among the many things that George did in his lifetime, he survived both the Mountain and Jungle Warfare Schools, surfed in Hawaii, cross country skied in Arizona, ran fifteen marathons, hiked the Grand Canyon five times, white water rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, kayaked the Rogue River, and he and Nan traveled the world on “Adventure Vacations”. George owned two aerobatic airplanes, a Decathlon and an Extra, and competed in aerobatic competitions. For numerous years in July, George went salmon fishing in Alaska with “The International Salmon Fishing, Boat Testing, and Choral Society”.

Above all else, George knew he was blessed. He loved his family and his country, honored his Marine Corps “Band of Brothers” and cherished the many friends he made throughout his life. He always held God and country close to his heart.

George is survived by his wife, Nan Ross of Cave Creek, AZ; daughter Susan Ross of Huntington Beach, CA and her daughter Lisa Young (husband Shane), daughter Jennifer Ross of San Diego, CA, son Bob Ross (wife Jane) of San Diego, CA and their son Bryant Ross.

He was predeceased by his father Alfred (Americo DeRosa) Ross; his mother Sylvia (Cilia Klein DeRosa) Ross and his sister Elaine (DeRosa) Ross. The family surname was changed to Ross in 1946.

Special thanks to the staff at Rock Creek at the Park and the staff at Sherman Home Hospice of the Valley for taking such good care of George during the final months of his life.

Private service and celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Contributions in George’s memory may be made to:

Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (marineheritage.org)

1775 Semper Fidelis Way

Triangle, VA 22172

Semper Fi & America’s Fund (thefund.org)

825 College Blvd Suite 102

PMB 609

Oceanside, CA 92057

Sherman Home Hospice of the Valley (hov.org)

5801 E Mayo Blvd

Phoenix, AZ 85054

On October 19th, George took his last flight, soared above the eagles and touched the hand of God. He has been set free and is now on his next great adventure. As you embark on your own adventures, think of George, share a laugh, and raise a toast in his memory.