Jon Ross

The family of Jon Max Ross, 77, of Ada will host a Celebration of Jon's Life from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 2 at the home of his daughter, Shelly Ross Hamby, 405 N. Crownpoint, Ada.

Jon's last wishes were to donate his body to the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center to aid in the advances being made in cancer research.

Jon passed away Sunday, April 22 at his home. He was born February 11, 1941 at Ada to Harvey E. and Esther G. Harris Ross. He attended Ada schools and played football for Coach Elvan George at Ada High School (Class of 1959) and East Central University (BSEd-1964 and MSEd-1966). In high school, he played on two state championship and 1 runner-up teams. Later in life, he was proud to have received the Milam Award from East Central University.

He and his late wife Margie owned and operated Ross Meadows Race Track. During the 1980's, it was the largest non-parimutual track in the nation. Later, he was employed with the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Music was always a special love of Jon's and he was quite proficient on many instruments. He was a proud member of numerous bands during his younger days, including "Little Joe and the Ramrod's" and he spent his retirement years hosting jam sessions, which were much loved and well attended.

Survivors include a daughter, Shelley Ross Hamby and her husband Jim of Ada; a son, Max Ross, Palm Springs, CA; his grandchildren, Jonathan Ross, Kuira Ross, Alison and Scott Raymer, Elizabeth and Philip Thompson and Kathryn and Chris Conrady; his great-grandchildren, Jacy and Sasha Raymer, Jameson and Julianna Thompson and Cooper Conrady; a special friend, Patt Manda; a brother, Richard Ross and wife Lois; sister-in-law, Cathey Cottingham Lamb; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Marjorie (Margie) Cottingham Ross; his parents; two sisters and their spouses, Jesse and Joy Dixon and Bill and Charlotte Hollis; and a sister-in-law, Carrollee Cottingham.

The family wishes to thank our "special lady friend from Louisiana" – Patt Manda, for the love and care she showed our dad/grandfather/brother for the last four years.

Because both Jon and Margie began their early careers as educators, the Cottingham/Ross Centennial Graduate Education Endowment Scholarship has been established through East Central University Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box Y-8, Ada, OK 74820, to aid students pursuing their Master of Education Degree.