John Dennis Ross
Dec 6, 1944 – Oct 18, 2023
Obituary
John was born in Batesville, Indiana, as the youngest of three, the older being twins, Howard Jr. (1930-2023) and Marylin (1930 – 1998). They all grew up in Aurora, Indiana, to loving Christian parents, Howard (Sr) and Hilda. John wished to be buried next to them at Riverview Cemetary on June 6th, (Noon) 2024, after which will be his Celebration of Life at Aurora’s Third & Main restaurant, 1 PM.
In Aurora High School (AHS), John enjoyed… Band (every year); Secretary (senior); Chorus (last 2 years); Student Council (senior); Alternate Boys’ State (Jr.); and was also an avid boy scout.
In his own words…” After graduating from AHS I was not really interested in further formal education. I did start at Ohio College of Applied Science (now part of UC) in the fall following our graduation but only because I somehow felt it was expected of me. Of course with that attitude I did not last long there and had to quit promptly in January ‘63 before getting failing grades for my second semester. Early in February I joined the Marine Corps for four years.”
“Less than three years later, while still in the Marine Corps, I married Melanie (Christian) Swift. It was a very humble lifestyle I was able to offer on what a corporal earned back then but she and daughter Jeanine stuck it out with me until I was discharged.”
“After my discharge we moved to the east coast of Florida where I got a job working as a technician in an RCA plant that produced mainframe computers. We bought a home in ‘67 and settled in. Our son Andrew was born in January of ‘69. RCA got out of the computer business late in 1971 and I was out of work. With a wife, two small children and a monthly mortgage I took another shot at college. This time I did very well as there was a certain seriousness to my studies, but as unemployment compensation drew to an end, I accepted a job offer with Siemens. I was hired into their engineering department, located in Munich. In the Fall of ‘74 Melanie had had enough of me and Germany. We were divorced and she returned to the USA. The children and I stayed in Germany for another eight years, until the Fall of ‘82.”
“Just before leaving Germany I married my girlfriend Gabi so she could go to the USA with us.” She remained his “girlfriend” until she passed Aug 8, 2020, after forty years of courtship.
“In September ‘93 Gabi decided it was time to go back to Germany after almost twelve years in Florida. I followed in March ‘94. After some difficulty in finding employment at age 50, I turned to translating technical documentation” …for 20+ years.
In 2015, they decided to move back to Munich, the city they loved, and also daughter Jeanine’s home city. They enjoyed family time with grandkids Josephine and Elvis until they both passed.
John led an adventurous life, working hard, staying curious, and always improving. Despite his world travels, he always felt his roots in Aurora, stayed in touch with his family and friends, and maintained a positive and open mindset.
PS. He passed that positivity to his children (Jeanine & Andrew) and grandchildren (Josephine, Elvis, Nicholas) …a wonderful gift especially in trying times.
On June 6, 2024 at 11 AM we will have a car procession meet up (location in Aurora TBD); the procession will end at River View Cemetery, with a service scheduled for 12 PM; A Celebration of Life will follow at Third & Main Restaurant in Aurora from 1 – 6 PM. Information will be reposted at the end of May.