James Earl Ross
October 8, 1954 ~ December 24, 2005
Resided in:
Leicester, NC
James Earl Ross, 51, of Freedom Farm Road, Leicester, died Saturday, December 24, 2005, at Mission Hospitals.
A native of Vinton, IA, he was a son of Ada Marie Peterson of Leicester and the late Thomas Ferrell Ross and was also preceded in death by a brother, Teddy Ross. He was head custodian for the Buncombe County Board of Education and was a noted Christian vocalist. He was a member of North Asheville Baptist Church and attended Gateway Christian Church.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Ross is survived by two daughters, Amber Fore of Georgia and Andrea Ross of Asheville; two sons, Tyler Ross of Asheville and Timothy Ross of Georgia; three brothers, Thomas Ross, David Ross and Randy Peterson; and a sister, Melinda Jo Holt. In addition, he was a loving grandfather.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am Wednesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Charles Phillips, Ricky Townsend and Ralph May officiating. Burial will follow at Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.
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MARIE,TOM AND FAMILY,
I’M SAD TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF JAMES. I KNOW GOD WILL BE WITH YOU THROUGH THIS TIME, BUT KNOWING WHERE HE IS BRINGS JOY TO OUR HEARTS. IN THE ARMS OF JESUS. I HAVEN’T SEE YOU IN A WHILE, I THINK OF YOU OFTEN. I LOVE YOU ALL.
IN CHRIST,
BARBARA & WAYNE HELMS
Jenny and I are so incrediblely sorry for your lost and we pray that the Lord will wrap His loving arms around you during this time and comfort your whole family. God bless you all.
Jenny and I are so incrediblely sorry for your lost and we pray that the Lord will wrap His loving arms around you during this time and comfort your whole family. God bless you all.
Ben Bryant, Youth Director, Gateway Christian Community
To all the Ross and Peterson Families:
We would like to express our sincere condolences in this sudden time of grief. I am sorry Bill and I were unable to attend the services and offer them in person.They are no less heart felt.
Hard as it is to understand, just remember’God makes no mistakes.’He is with you througfh it all.
I was saddend by the news that Jimmy was gone. He was a faithful friend who genuinely cared about others. I lead worship at Gateway Christian Fellowship and I will miss him in his ‘regular spot’ at our 8:30 services on Sunday.
I am glad to have known him and look forward to seeing him again someday!
I pray for peace and blessing on all the family.
Tim Bryant, Assoc. Pastor
Gateway Christian Community
We are so sorry for your loss! We will be praying for your family.
Dear David, Jeanne, and Thomas, I am still reeling from the death of our brother. I am so sorry that this has happened. I can’t understand it. All I know is that I am so happy our daddy went before Teddy and Jimmy. I
don’t know if he could have taken
it. Or that I could have watched him go through it. I gain comfort in knowing that they all three are in the arms of our Savior together. I love you all so much. Marie and Randy, I am so sorry for your loss. The last 6 years have been so hard on all of us – the loss of 2 fathers and 2 sons/brothers. All of you have been in my prayers. I wish Aubrey and Ella could have known Jimmy better. He would have had a time with Ella, possibly would have met his match:). She is as strongwilled a Ross as ever has been – and orney as all get out. I love you all. Your
loving little sister, Melinda Jo
To the family of Jimmy Ross,
I learned of your tragic loss just tonight and am very sorry to have not been able to attend the services to show respect and offer condolences. Jimmy will be missed by many at the Central Office. His sense of humor and good nature often brought a smile or a laugh. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nanny, I love you very much and I have faith that the Lord will never give you more than you can handle. I can just see it now, all of Heaven is working on keeping Teddy and Jimmy out of trouble. You’ve been so amazing to me and I love you always.
Donna,
I am so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s death. I am also sorry I couldn’t attend the service to give you my condolences in person. I know how strong you can be and the kids will need that now more than ever. See you soon and call if you need anything. Love,Tara
Donna, Amber, Andrea, Tyler, Timothy, Thomas and David:
My memories of Jimmy will always be his beautiful voice as he sang in church, and that unique laugh that always permeated our conversations. With our family’s recent lost of Mark, I find it difficult to express words of comfort, other than to know that he no longer suffers the difficulties of this world. But I feel that both Jimmy and Mark loved life itself which was evidenced by their constant smiles and laughs. Life was not always kind to them, but you would never know that to meet them. They always made one feel good to be around them, and this is what I like to remember the most. I will be in touch….Colleen
I just received word of Jimmy’s passing. My heart breaks for his family.
A University of South Carolina Gamecock cross stitch that my Mother hand stitched hangs on the door of my office because Jimmy loved to give me a hard time about ‘The Gamecocks’. Jimmy and I shared many smiles when discussing the Gamecocks.
He will missed you dearly.
Jimmy, God bless you and keep you. Your smiles, your laughter and your wit will be truly missed.
With love,
Buncombe County Schools
Child Nutrition Staff,
Lisa Payne
Lynn Ferguson
Kim Buckner
Gail Edmonds
Christina Eschevera
Amy Hamrick
Kelly Frady
Trip Warren
and
Steve Frisbee
We are so very sorry to hear of Jimmys’ passing. I went to school with Jimmy and thought the world of him.He was such a kind and loving person as a boy growing up and even more so as the man I recognized anywhere I ran into him.He never changed from years ago until present day..he was always the same.no front person. Just plain old country…I remember how proud he was in telling me of the music and singing he and his brothers had done years ago together and how he missed those days,although he still sang. I am sure his voice is coming in strong and true tonight, because he sings for the [Father].Sing on Jimmy in your new Home and the angels will be your back-up. Our deepest condolences to all the family, Ray and Pat [HENSLEY] Buckner
Dear Family,
This past summer, Jimmy recognized me while at Gateway Chrisitian Community, as the little girl he knew from Riverside Baptist(about 20 years ago). He was a kind man with a big heart. 2 Weeks ago I saw him again as we were both in the Christmas Service at Gateway. God bless you all in this coming new year. Anna Hasskamp
Jimmy Ross was a good friend to have. You never had to ask him to help you. He always looked around to see what he could do and then did whatever he could do for you. On many evenings when I worked late at West Buncombe Elementary and Jimmy was working there or helping Donna, he would check in on me, assist me in finishing up my tasks, and then help me carry my belongings to my car. He was talented as an artist. When the 2002 Odyssey of the Mind team was earning money to go to the World Finals in Colorado, Jimmy donated a very beautiful landscape painting which he had painted on the glass of a window from a farmhouse which had been torn down. We sold raffle tickets and earned a nice sum of money for it. Jimmy was always very pleasant and positive. He knew much about the Bible and happily shared his knowledge and love of Jesus and Christianity. He would have been a good preacher and minister, but instead he praised the Lord in song. His rendering of Beulah Land touched many hearts. He sang at many funerals. I think he was pleased that his son sang at his funeral and that his children spoke words of praise for him. The messages delivered by the three participating pastors were very meaningful, and the thunderous rainstorm which occurred at the end of the service accentuated the significance of their words. Jimmy’s funeral was a wonderful tribute to this man who loved the Lord and all of God’s creation. He loved his family and his friends, and everyone will miss him. However, we do know that Jimmy has gone to heaven and that he is singing with the angels. With that thought, our sad hearts should find comfort and peace. The large gathering of friends and family on Tuesday night is evidence that this community will be there to assist the family as needed. Please do call upon me if ever my assistance is needed. With love and best wishes for Jimmy’s family, Norris Jane Hall
Dear Family, I know you are tired and exhausted by now after meeting all of your many friends and loved ones. So sorry our family, Matt and Alyssa and Jon and Cindy could not all be with you during this time, but our thougts and prayers are with you and will continue in the days ahead. We owe much to Jimmy’s helpful and friendly way, he helped Matthew so much and means so much to us all, I sincerely hope in the days ahead you will remember how truly blessed we all were to have known him and how much he added to so many peoples lives. we loved Jimmy and your whole family. God bless you all. Heaven is even brighter now and can you imagine the heavenly choir?
to jimmy’s family, i was very shocked to hear of his passing from a lady at the central office where i serve breakfast and lunch.
he always had a smile on his face and a song to sing you could tell that he loved the lord. my heart goes out to the kids who he loved so much. his mother and siblings also have my prayers. he always talked about how much he loved his kids and family.God bless you all
Donna, Amber, Andera, Tyler, Timothy, Mark and Cecelia,
Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you as they have for the past few days. We were so sorry we could not be here for the funeral but I’m sure all of you did a wonderful job giving tribute to your Dad. We’d love to have heard your beautiful song, Tyler.
May God’s peace and love enfold you as you walk this difficult valley.
We love you, ‘Aunt Martha’ and ‘Uncle David’
To the Ross Family
Even though we are apart, there is no distance in prayer. Accross the miles our hearts reach out to you and we pray that God’s love will embrace you, His peace will comfort you and His power will give you strength to face each new tomorrow as you go through this difficult time. You are all very special to us and We love you,
‘Nanny and Papa’
We were so shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Jimmy Ross. While our relationship has not been close, we feel as though it is because of your relationship with my twin, Martha and her husband, David. Through them we have kept in touch with you through the years. The Ross family is indeed special to our family.
In an instant one phone call can change everything… so unexpected, stunned by it, unprepared for it, you grope in the dark heaviness, wondering what to do next, numbed by the news. In the stillness you find God and you find the strength for the next step and the next day. May His peace that passes understanding, His love that knows no boundaries and His grace that He promised would be sufficient be yours in great measure.
Donna, we love you. Our prayers are with you and the children and with Jimmy’s family as well.
The Ross Family,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our love and prayers are with you during this time.
I will miss listening to all of his childhood stories.
I just learned of Jimmy’s sudden death this morning when I returned to work from the holiday break. Somehow the holiday season seems bittersweet now that I know that Jimmy passed on Christmas Eve. I had only known Jimmy for about four months, but in that time I grew very fond of Jimmy’s kind spirit and humorous nature. He will be missed by many that worked with him and became friends with him at the Central Office.
I’M SPENDING CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS THIS YEAR
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars
Reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away that tear,
For I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year
I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can’t
compare
With the Christmas choir up here.
For I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring;
For it is beyond description
To hear as angels sing.
I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart,
For I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I can’t tell you of the splendor
Or the peace here in this place,
Can you just imagine Christmas
With our Savior, face to face.
I’ll ask Him to light your spirit
As I tell him of your love
So then, pray for one another
As you lift your eyes above.
So, please let your hearts be
joyful
And let your spirit sing,
For I’m spending Christmas in
heaven
And I’m walking with the King.
Jimmy’s style, his upbeat attitude, and his wonderful sense of humor are some things I will always miss.
You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Jimmy’s struggle is over and he is singing for the Lord! May Jesus comfort you in His loving arms.
Love in Christ,
Sherrie and Mark
WE WERE SORRY TO HEAR OF JIMMY’S PASSING. IT’S ALWAYS HARDER AT THE HOLIDAYS,BUT HE IS IN HEAVEN WITH OUR LORD. MAY YOUR MEMORIES HELP YOU THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
LOVE AND PRAYERS, STEVE,SHARON AND FAMILY
We are remembering all of you in our prayers during this most difficult time.
I am very sorry about your loss. i went to school & was in girl scouts with Amber. My dad worked with Jimmie at Schwitzer. If you guys need anything please email me and let me know. Our Prayers and thoughts are with you.
Crystal (Walker) Maltry & Steve Walker And family
Dear Aunt Marie and family ,,, Losing Jimmy is like losing a brother ,,the only releif i have losing him is that he is with the Lord and the angels,,, he is there with Teddy and Donna and i know that they are there showing the angels what a trio of singers they are are ,, just know i love you all and all you will be my family ,, love always wayne
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Jimmy’s passing. We thought of him as a brother and have alot of memories, which are good. You all are in our prayers. Love, Linda and Gary Wood
Amber, Andrea, Tyler, Timothy & Donna, You all are in our thoughts and prayers and we are here if you need anything. God chose to take Jimmy home at a beautiful time of the year. The celebration of Jesus’ birthday would be an awesome time to go be with Jesus, but the grief it causes family is hard. Just keep in your heart & mind that he is with God, not suffering, no sadness, and what an awesome time he is having greeting others he knows up there and that will give you peace. We enjoyed him singing at Macedonia Baptist Church and the solos he did there were awesome. We will always remember the song he sang, ‘That’s what this altar is for’ when I requested he sing that and will remember ‘The Anchor Holds’. He could really sing those songs along with many others. He will be missed and we can only pray for you as you deal with your grief. Please call if you need anything at all!!! We love you guys!!!
We loved Jimmy Ross so much. I still can’t believe he’s not with us anymore. I think about him often and of his beautiful voice and how many lives were touched because of that gift. We were so shocked to hear of his passing. It seems like the Lord has taken so many people home lately.
To the whole family, we just wanted to express our sincere condolences. To Donna, Amber, Andrea, Tyler and Timothy, there’s so much I would like to say to you, but would only do so in private. I know that he is at peace now and is in heaven with Jesus. I’m as sure of that as I am anything. Our prayers will be with you all for a very long time.
Love, Randy and Kathy
I was sadden and shocked as I returned to work this morning to hear of Jimmy’s passing. He was a true friend and always had a smile on his face. He smiled the biggest when he spoke of his children and grandchildren and his family. He will truly be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with his family may God Bless you All !
Marie i was so sorry to hear about Jimmy i want you to know that are hearts thoughts and prayers go out to you.Love in Jesus Christ.
Jean and Jessica Sluder
To the Ross Family, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Daddy. Tyler, Adam just found out about it and ask me to write and tell you he is praying for you and your family. His email address is militaryadamwatts@yahoo.com. We will be thinking of your family in this hard time. Annette and Adam Watts
Donna & Kids,
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of Jimmy on Christmas Eve. Tyler, Timothy, Andrea, and Amber- I cannot imagine the loss you must feel right now. I have been and will continue to pray for the 4 of you. I do know that Jimmy would be so proud of the people you are destined to become. Take care of yourselves and your mom. She will do the same for you. I love ya Donna. Be strong and if there is anything I can do, please email or call. (279-3168)
Love always,
Bobbi
I enjoyed working with Jimmy for the past few months at the Board of Education. I will miss his jokes everyday. God Bless you all.
I am saddened to hear at the passing of Jimmy. I have lots of wonderful good memories of the whole family. They have known me since I was 3 and I grew up with them. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
WE SEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE ROSS FAMILY, WHAT A SHOCK TO HEAR OF JIMMY’S PASSING. GOD REST HIS SOUL. THE HOLMES’S
Dear Ross Family, we’re very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Jimmy/Dad, to go home to be with the Father. He’s a special person with a special talent to sing for his Father God, and must have been called home to sing for Him all the time. Our fondest memory is of him at Macedonia, feeding our little Jesse his first bites of ice cream & the joy he took in doing it! Donna, please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you and your children during this trying time. We love you dearly! Jim, Debby, Jesse & Becky Hembree
I was shocked at Jimmy’s sudden passing but not dismayed. What better time for a Christian to make their grand home coming than at Christmas. I too had a sister go home on December 22, 2005. Jim, I don’t know who will take your place as a Tar Heel fan. No one can as a Christian vocalist. See you soon over by the eastern gate.
In Christ.
Joe Pitts
Dear Ross Family and Friends,
I am so sorry to hear of this unfortunate loss. I can not even comprehend it. May God be with everyone and my prayers are with you all.
Marie,& Family We send you our Love and Prayers.You and your Children have touched many lives.We have seen what you have taught them because you live what you have taught before us. And what a blessing to know That Jimmy now sees
everyone we miss so much. And soon we will have our homecoming and WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE. We love you all very much.
Dear Donna, Amber, Andrea, Tyler, and Timothy….we are saddened and shocked by the loss of Jimmy. We are also happy that he is walking on the streets of gold now. However, that is great for him, and very difficult for the loved ones he’s left behind. Be strong…we know you are grounded in the faith, and that you will all be fine in your own time. If there is anything at all we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call. To laugh, to cry, to remember, to forget. We love you all and are here for you. Our number is 696-4369
Andrea,
I am so sorry to hear what happened. He was such a bright light whenever I was around. I am so sorry that we have lost touch, but I have been thinking about you. You and your family are in my thoughts. I’ll leave my email for you so whenever you’re ready we can catch back up, and if you need anything at all, please let me know. sugarfairy2002@yahoo.com
I love you,
Heather K.
I was so terribly sorry to hear of Jimmy’s death. What a wonderful person he was and what a blessed voice God gave him. He will be missed. May God be with your family.
Marie and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of great need. Another beautiful voice has joined Teddy in Heaven’s choir. Love and prayers , Shirley and Clifton Buckner
It was a true shock to hear of Jimmy’s passing. We knew him at Macedonia for many years, then working with my father at Southland Distributors. Recently, I caught up with him at the Buncombe County Schools Central Office. Jimmy was always smiling and talking to everybody! We will miss him on earth but he is talking with Jesus now. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother, Donna, Amber, Andrea, Tyler and Timothy. May God give you peace.
Donna and family,
I am so sorry for your loss and I am thinking of each of you. May peace reside in your hearts.
Love, Robin
Amber, Andrea, Tyler, Timothy, & Donna,
We were so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. You are each in our thoughts and prayers. It’s so difficult to loose a parent, but we have to trust that ‘God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind, so when you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart’. We pray you can trust and rely on Him for strength. We love you all!!
Mark, Lynne, Will & Jed Dorsey
When I think of Jimmy Ross, I think of an excellent former employee who always had time to talk just to say a good word. He would ask if there was more that he should do. He worked more than one job for the benefit of the family.
I am sorry that I cannot be with you at this time. Linda and I will be out of town at the time of visitation and the funeral.
May God give you the strength for the facing of this hour.
Dennis Brown
Andrea,
Please accept our heart felt condolences and know that our prayers are with you during this very trying time. We ask God to strengthen you and be a comfort in this time and the days ahead. Our love we extend to you. You will rest upon our hearts.
Andrea and family, I am saddened by your loss, however I know that we all may rejoice at your father’s homecoming to the glory land! My love, thoughts and prayers are with you always! God bless you all.
There are no words to express the feelings at a time like this. We have been and will be praying for you in the days ahead, that our Awesome God will wrap His arms of love & comfort around you. The sweet memories shared with Jimmy & the Ross family will always be a part of who we are. Amber & Mark, Andrea, Tyler & Timothy; we will see your Daddy again in the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ‘At the midnight cry, we’ll be goin’ home!’ We love you!
John and I just learned of Jimmy’s death last night. We are so very sorry for your loss. When I think of Jimmy Ross, I think about when our oldest son, Evan, was 2 or so years old. We are huge Carolina fans and of course dressed Evan in Carolina wear quite frequently. Jimmy would see Evan at Macedonia and would always say…’there’s that Carolina boy’!! And Evan would just laugh and laugh! Jimmy always seemed to have a good time with the little ones. Know that Jimmy is with his savior. Even though he is truly missed here by friends and family…Right now, he is needed more elsewhere. You are all in our thoughts. John, Patty, Evan, Aaron & Caroline White
Dear Donna, Amber, Andrea, Timothy and Tyler,
we know that during times such as this there are no words that can stop the hurting but maybe these can help. Jimmy was always an inspiration to us and his God-given ability to sing was a blessing to all. The fact that Jimmy is in heaven, the saints are rejoycing and that we will all be together again helps to get us through the toughest part. We have been and will be praying for you in the days to come. with all our love. Jeff, Peggy, Amber and Rebekah Anders
Donna, Amber, Andrea, Tyler and Timothy, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Hal and Susan Flowers
Lauren, Adam and Jordan West
so sorry to hear about jimmy. i will always remember his God given singing talent and talent to deliver a song with such heart felt meaning. my favorite song was ‘the anchor holds’ which i had heard him sing on several occassions. i’m sure jimmy is singing right now. may you feel God’s presence like never before during this most tragic time. we will be thinking of you in the coming days.
kendall & karen doan 🙂
Our deepest condolences for your family. Jim blessed all of us with his faithful attendance and especially his involvement in this year’s Christmas production, HIS GIFT: MY CHOICE. I know he has now received the greatest gift of all in his ‘home-going’. Without a doubt he was ready because he had chosen Christ as his Savior. We had many conversations about his family. He loved all of you dearly as I’m sure you know.
-Jay Liner, Senior Pastor, Gateway Christian Community
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Patrick & Karen Evans
Christopher, Ashley & Shawn Cromer
I am sorry about hearing of Jimmy’s passing. We have become close friends as well as co-workers. I know Jimmy was a believer. I have learned a lot working with him the past three years. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family this difficult time during the holiday season. Sammy, Kathy, and family.
To all the family of Jimmy.Our thoughts ,prayers and condolences goes out to the entire family.My wife and I worked with and knew Jimmy and members of the family.Please feel free to write me at my email address.May GOD comfort the family in these times of sorrow.
Please know of our thoughts, love and prayers. Jimmy will be greatly missed. May the Lord bless and comfort each one of you.