Remembering Larry Ross of Kansas

On June 10, 2011, Larry Ross died after battling colon cancer. He had been my brother-in-law for forty years and was a pretty special guy. Friends and family started posting their regrets and memories via Facebook and by emails. Knowing how transient those postings and messages are, I wanted to save them long-term for Larry's friends, family and co-workers to read later.

This page is a tribute to Larry Junior Ross of Towanda, Kansas. He recently retired from the Frontier Refinery in El Dorado, KS.

Photo of Larry Ross taken by Virginia Allain

• Cindy, I am so sorry that you lost your dearest friend. Although I didn't know Larry well, every time I saw him he was so pleasant welcoming and fun to talk to. I know there are not words to say to help you feel better but I hope you find comfort soon in celebrating the years that you had with him here on earth. All our hopes to you for peace. C.T.

• Today Dennis and I said good by to one of our closest, dearest friends. It is hard when you lose someone close to you. We know that one day we will see him again. So till then, good-bye Larry, and remember we love you. - Pat Perry

• It is difficult to say good-bye to someone you love. It is wonderful to say see you later, because you know where they are going. See you later Larry! - Kerensa Davis Bennett

• Larry was a lot of fun, and I will never forget his smile. Never forget his time ump-ing Leah's ball game. Never forget him coming to church even when he was worn out from his illness and a K-state football game the day before...yet he was still at church that Sunday. - Pastor Jerry

• Children shouldn't have to go to Heaven before their parents but remember that Shannon was at the gates to meet Larry. They left us many wonderful memories to help us through the years. Mom and Dad

• Larry did a lot to help me out. I owe him heaps of gratitude! I am sure going to miss him too. Samantha Joy Hyle-Noble

CJ is Cindy's aunt

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~From a headstone in Ireland

Like all the rest of you, I loved Larry like the brother I never had. It's so not fair for us to lose him so soon. But, life often seems not fair to us. What I do know is that Larry is no longer in pain; and he won't want us to cry too much. But of course we will.

He always went out of his way to make time for me when I could visit in KS; always up for whatever project anyone needed help with.

I cling to what I believe: God will give us the strength to carry on. I pray for His love, peace, strength, and guidance to be with you, Cindy, in this terribly hard time.

Much love to all of you,

Carol

Baseball, softball, football, basketball... Larry loved officiating at all of these sports.

He had many good stories to tell about mishaps and confrontations at games. Some umpires get caught up in the ego part of being an umpire. Not Larry, he wanted to make sure each game was fair according to the rules.

Sometimes fans didn't know all the nuances of a rule and would dispute him, but Larry knew the rule book forward and backwards.

Graphic courtesy of Zazzle: Referee T-shirts and Gifts. Stickers by leigh10970

Kristy now teaches school and Nikki is a nursing home administrator.

1. Harmon, Oklahoma
2. Wichita (Plainview), Kansas
3. Towanda, Kansas
4. Manhattan, Kansas
5. Cape Girardeau, Missouri
6. Danville, Illinois
7. LaPlace, Louisiana
8. Andover, Kansas
9. Towanda Kansas

He had quite a few of the Texaco collectible trucks. They were proudly displayed on shelves in the family room.

He collected vintage copies of Edgar Rice Burroughs' books (Tarzan). Both he and his wife were avid readers.

It's dedicated to Larry

Preview part of the book here. It is available for purchase online or you can buy a copy at the Kansas Oil Museum or at the Eureka Historical Society.

Prairie Woman Poems by Cynthia Jo Ross | Make Your Own Book

Memorial donations may be made to

Butler County Extension Office co 4H Fair Board 206 N. Griffith, El Dorado, KS 67042-2039;

Andover Optimists c/o Ralph Rust 213 Alison, Andover, KS 67002;

Faith Baptist Church 417 W. Central, Andover, KS 67002

Larry dedicated many hours supporting the Optimist Club in all the projects like their scholarship fund and also served as president and other offices.