Robert E. Ross, 80, of House Springs died May 2, 2025, at his home. Mr. Ross was a 1962 Hillsboro High School graduate. He served in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS Rupertus-DD851 where he worked in engineering and was stationed at Yokosuka, Japan. The destroyer toured Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, supported the Gemini IV space flight mission and later docked in Long Beach, Calif., in 1966. He later moved to El Paso, Texas, where he worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. He returned to Missouri and retired from Chrysler. He was a member of UAW and VFW. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening, sports, game shows and spending time with family and friends. He was a caretaker to his wife after she developed Alzheimer’s until her death in 2020. Born Aug. 8, 1944, in Troy, he was the son of the late Harry and Elizabeth (Toy) Ross.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Maria J. (Gomez) Ross.
He is survived by three children: Gabriela (Daniel) Mangan, Marian Ross and William Ross; six grandchildren: Carolina Mangan, Will Larson, Rebecca Mangan, Lianna Mangan, Clarissa Platter and Vincent Mangan; two great-grandchildren: Gabriel Larson and Melody Larson; a sister-in-law: Velia Cardenas; two brothers-in-law: Selestino Gomez and Gerry (Rachel) Gomez; 29 nieces and nephews; 44 great-nieces and great-nephews; 6 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by seven siblings: William “Bill” Ross, Edward Ross, Harriet Baldwin, John Ross, Harry Ross, Louise Gregory and Cornelious Ross; two sisters-in-law: Carrie Gomez and Esther Gomez; three brothers-in-law: Julio Gomez, Tomas Cardenas Sr., and Russell “Ruffy” Ducey; two nieces: Bonnie Baldwin and Eva Gregory; three nephews: Bryan Baldwin, Tino Gomez and Gerry Viloria; two great-nephews: Richie Gibson and Nelson Orozco; and a grandson: Christopher Mangan.
A celebration of life for both Robert and Maria Ross will be from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at VFW Post 5331, 1 Lynn Lane, in Cedar Hill. Burial for both Robert and Maria Ross will take place at a later date in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary in Cedar Hill.