Robert “Bob” Louis Ross, 81, Mountain Grove, Missouri passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024 at his home. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2024 with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Bruce Funeral Home, 712 S. Webster, Spring Hill, Kansas (913) 592-2244. Burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery, Spring Hill, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Hope, Atchison, Kansas (www.valleyhope.org). Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com
Bob was preceded in death by his wives Beverly in 2001 and Mary Lou in 2022; sisters Roberta (Elmer) Eagle and Patricia (Donald) Bullard, sister-in-law Ina (Richard) Ross, daughter-in-law Martha (JoAnn) Brewer, grandson Geoffrey Ross, and several other infant grandchildren. He is survived by his sons: Robert “Rob” (Jane) Ross, Shawnee, Kansas, Gary (Taunia) Ross, Paola, Kansas, David Ross, Shawnee, Kansas and Trebor (Elizabeth) Ross, Shawnee, Kansas; daughters JoAnn (Martha) Ross, Overland Park, Kansas and Shannon (Ernest) Kelso, Shawnee, Kansas; step-daughters Laurie (Thomas) Kirby, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Teri (Mark) Gisi, Montgomery, Alabama; sister Ottilla (Ray) Hicks, Phillipsburg, Missouri; brother Richard (Janice) Ross, Whitehouse, Tennessee; sister-in-law Dala Tamayo of the home; many grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with two on the way.
Bob was born in Kansas City, Kansas on October 22, 1942 to Robert Albert and Sarah Mae (Johnson) Ross, the fourth of five children. He moved to Bakersfield, Missouri as a youth then moved in with his sister in the Atchison, Kansas area at age 16. He married Beverly Ann Blauvelt on November 30, 1962 in Parkville, Missouri. Bob was a self-employed carpenter working home remodel jobs all over the Kansas City area. He built the home in Gardner where they lived for 20 years. Bob R. was active in the AA community from 1976 and was an inspiration to many with his 48 years of sobriety.
Bob was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 35 years. He gladly served his congregation and friends, offering his remodeling and woodworking talents or his quiet support wherever it was needed. Bob fulfilled the callings of Sunday School teacher, Elders Quorum Presidency, and Ward Mission Leader over the years. He loved fishing in the lakes and rivers around wherever he was living and shared that love with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening, bird watching and woodworking. He had a passion for watching and reading stories about westerns.
After Beverly’s death, Bob married Mary Lou Hall on June 1, 2001 in West Plains, Missouri. He would often say how grateful he was to have found a second wonderful woman with which to share his life. Together they remodeled several homes in south-central Missouri. After Mary Lou’s death in 2022, Bob counted himself so lucky to have found companionship with Martha Brodie.
Bob cherished the relationships with his companions and family, and they were his greatest treasures. He found great joy in spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; they always brought a smile to his face and a twinkle to his eye.
