Tom Ross

BENTON, Mo. -- John Thomas "Tom" Ross, 81, of Benton passed away Friday, March 10, 2017, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau after battling several health issues.

He was born Sept. 15, 1935, in South Dakota to James and Alyce Fallon Ross.

His family moved to the Commerce, Missouri, area in 1937. He attended Benton High School. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years, he met the love of his life, Virginia Seyer, while at a dance hall in Ancell. They married May 4, 1957, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. They were to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in May of this year.

Tom was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, where he volunteered for many church activities. He was a maintenance worker for the Missouri Department of Transportation. During retirement, he owned and operated his own floor-cleaning business. He also enjoyed earning money by "junking" (buying and selling antiques, equipment and scrap metal). He gave many of his grandchildren their first work experiences when he'd hire them as assistants with his jobs. He enjoyed life and often could be found sitting around a bonfire with family, telling funny stories. He truly loved and enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, and singing the "Crawdad Hole" song to them. He loved gardening, fishing, playing golf and being outdoors. He also enjoyed playing cards and meeting his local friends at The County Seat. He was very generous and kind to everyone and was known as a great listener.

Loving survivors include his wife, Virginia Ross of their home; three daughters, Regina Sander of Scott City, Cindy (Tom) Hulshof of Cape Girardeau and Robin Ross of San Diego; four sons, Kevin (Sandy) Ross of Jackson, Steve Ross of Scott City, Tim (Georgie) Ross of Benton and Kenny (Donna) Ross of Scopus, Missouri; 10 grandsons, Brandon, Garrett, Alex, Trevor, Duncan, Cole, Cameron, Devin, Hunter and Nate; three granddaughters, Stephanie, Abby and Sara; two great-granddaughters, Cambrie and Laynie; a brother, Bob (Rosemary) Ross of Chaffee, Missouri; and a sister-in-law, Loretta Ross of St. Louis. He also is survived by a large number of friends, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Ross; a sister, Joan Schwartz; and a son-in-law, Kevin Sander.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton. Parish prayer service will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Michael Casteel as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Denis Catholic Cemetery in Benton, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Missouri Right to Life.

Online condolences may be left at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.