Dick Ross

Dick Ross, Jr., of Groesbeck, passed away at home on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at age 83.

There will be a Memorial Service held at 11:00 A.M., with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M., on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck, with Pastor Steve Nance officiating.

Dick was born March 11, 1936 to William Ross and Ruth Volkema Ross (and named after his grandfather) in Holland, Michigan.    He grew up there and graduated from high school in Holland in 1954.

Dick joined the U. S. Air Force, and was an Airman First Class, serving from 1954 through 1957.  He was a Surgical Tech, and was stationed in the Azores, which was an enjoyable experience.

When Dick was honorably discharged, he worked for some time in Michigan, and then while working with GTE as a telephone cable splicer, he was transferred to Texas.  Meanwhile, his future wife Judy, who lived in Illinois, sold her business there and moved to Bryan, Texas to be near her sister Dodie.  Judy met Dick while attending a party with Dodie at the Texas Hall of Fame.   Dodie had already known Dick as she worked as a dispatcher for GTE and introduced them.  Judy and Dick’s first date was to a Texas A&M football game.

Dick was united in marriage with Judith “Judy” Ann Green on January 1, 1988 in Bryan, although they had to wait until after the ending of the Cotton Bowl game that New Years’ Day, because Texas A&M was playing.   They had to call to remind the Justice of the Peace when the game was over that it was time for their wedding ceremony.

Dick and Judy lived in Bryan.   He took an early retirement from GTE in 1994 when it was offered by the company.   Since he loved to play golf every day, he worked at the golf course a few days a week.   They moved to Groesbeck in 2001.   

Dick and Judy were members of the First United Methodist Church and very active in the church and community.  He sang in the choir for awhile, and was always in Sunday morning service until suffering a heart attack six weeks ago.

He was faithfully by Judy’s side in her quilting business, and built light boxes for her and some of her quilting friends, as well as building birdhouses and any other projects Judy could think up and ask him to make.   They attended the Houston Quilt Show, and he was always willing to stop and visit quilt shops and shop for fabrics wherever they traveled.

Dick helped Judy organize and set up a Groesbeck Quilt Show for several years for the Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July celebrations.   He built the frames on which they displayed the many quilts, and then de-constructed everything and stored the frames.   Dick enjoyed her “Tuesday Stitchers” group meetings in their home.   He also loved going to garage sales with her and finding items to re-purpose. 

Dick loved talking to people and would start up a conversation with strangers even while shopping at Walmart.  For a time, he drove a van for Limestone Medical Center transporting patients for classes there, and he really enjoyed talking with those riding the van.    He made friends with many people, and he also enjoyed animals, having dogs and cats as pets.    He really loved his grandkids and would do anything for them.

Dick was preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Ruth Ross; his brother, William Ross; and two sisters, Jean Middlecamp and Barbara Rithanel.

He is survived by his wife, Judith “Judy” Ross of Groesbeck; daughter, Sherri Tasker of Groesbeck; daughter, Pam Wooley and husband Mark of Mexia; son, Harold Weppler of Bloomington, IL; grandchildren: Phil Tasker of Wellington, IL, Justin and wife Meagan Scott of Waco, Ashley and husband Tom Williams of Bloomington, IL, Amber Weppler of Bloomington, IL, Mathew Weppler of Bloomington, IL, Alyssa Wooley of Mexia, and Nathanial Tasker of Groesbeck; his sister, Dotty Willson of Douglasville, GA; sisters-in-law, Dodie Webb of Louisana and Beverly Taylor of Jacksonville, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.