Earl A. Ross
October 30, 1916 - March 15, 2006
Obituary
Earlwood Alvin Ross, Earl 89, of Renton, WA was surrounded by his family when he went to his Heavenly Father March 15, 2006. Earl was born October 30, 1916 in Vegreville, Alberta, Canada, to Charles and Margaret Ross. He was one of six children. His parents had moved to a farm in Canada from Washington State only a short time before he was born, and they returned to Kettle Falls, WA, where he completed his last year of high school. Earl married Alice Boots in 1940. A daughter, Janet, and a son, Roger, were born to them. It was in 1942 that Mr. Ross began a career with the Southern Pacific Railroad from which he retired in 1975. While working with the railroad, the family lived in several towns in Eastern Washington before moving to Portland, Oregon in 1948. In 1961, while living in Portland, his wife Alice passed away at age 44 due to cancer. Earl was remarried in 1962 to Hazel Schulz Johnson, a widow and high school teacher with three children—Janet, Roger, and Jerome. After retirement from the railroad, Mr. Ross pursued a second career as an accountant. The family relocated from Portland to Seattle, where he became employed by the State of Washington from which he retired in 1982. The Rosses loved to travel, especially enjoying extended vacations in Europe, where they often hiked in the Italian and French Alps. He once bicycled 800 miles alone in Europe. In addition to his first wife, preceding Earl in death was his young grandson, Ross Aaron Johnson, named after his Papa who passed away at age eight in 1986. Earl is survived by his wife, Hazel; daughters, Jan Trautman and her husband, Dan of Kent Wa., Jan Henerson and her husband, Clarence, of Lynden, Wa; three sons, Jerome Johnson of Renton, WA Roger Johnson and his wife Beth of Port Townsend, WA, and Roger Ross and his wife Lori of Silverdale, WA and a step-son from his first marriage David McNearney and his wife Netha of Redding, CA; four grandchildren, James Henderson of Lynden, WA, Gary Henderson of San Diego, CA, Douglas Scott of Renton, WA, and Brandon Johnson of Port Townsend, WA; and six great-grandchildren, Austin, Aimee, Houston and Hunter Henderson; Ross Johnson; and Shyi Scott.
To the best dad that one could have! God blessed me with 2 dads! I had some very special times with him and my mother! The Angels are singing today.
To my dear world traveling friends Earl and Hazel, We created such a bonding relationship at Nordstrom that grew into a couple of rondevous in Europe. Thanks for all of the sweet memories. Blessings, Robert
Earl & Hazel have been wonderful friends and supporters for 40 years. What a joy to have known them. Earl was always there for so many people including me. I will remember his warm smile
Earl was the god father of our daugher Adrienne. We traveled with Hazel and Earl to France and Italy. We have many memories of Earl, but one in particular stands out. Hiking on Mont Blanc Earl is carrying our picnic on his back complete with the traditional French baguette popping high out of his backpack! He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Bill, Irene and Adrienne
Earl and I shared tax stories often, and consulted back and forth sharing tax expertise. I was fortunate to get to know him and Hazel and will be forever grateful to Earl for the wonderful tax clients he referred to me when he got out of the business. My sympathy to Earl’s Family.
Never having a grandfather myself, my godfather, “uncle earl” has always filled my image of what grandfather should be. He his kind laugh and happy spirit seemed to make any situation ‘ok’. Some of my most fond memories come from my first trip to Europe as a 12 year-old when I got to hike in the alps with Hazel and Earl. In my memories, he always is wearing knickers and has a walking stick in hand.
I have found memories of Earl and his distictive chuckle. One memory that has stuck with me is of hiking in France with him and Hazel. Earl packed his back pack with bread and wine instead of the usual pairs of extra socks. My image of him will always be one of loving life and adventure.