Ronald Edwin Ross January 31, 1947 - June 20, 2026

Ronald Edwin Ross
January 31, 1947 – June 20, 2026

Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, he spent his early years in Tuscumbia and Michigan. His teenage years were spent in Columbia, Tennessee, and Southern California. Before the military draft required his service, he enlisted in the United States Air Force at 19 years old.

After he completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, his first assigned base was Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California. It was there that he met Glenda Young. They were married at Hilmar Covenant Church on September 17, 1967.

He earned his GED through the Air Force and developed many valuable skills during his 20 years of service. Starting in Flightline Freight, to Flightline Heat & Air, to Mobile Radar, and Air Ground Equipment, he was stationed stateside while raising his family, with assignments to Vietnam. He served on the Presidential Airborne Command Squadron accompanying Jimmy Carter. He also served assignments to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm and Germany at the Czech border.

After retiring from military service, the family settled in Turlock, where he worked for several processing companies. He later retired and enjoyed trips back to Tennessee and Alabama, visiting the Hawaiian Islands, and, most of all, spending time with his family and their growing families.

He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Emmajean and James Boatwright of Alabama, and his father and stepmother, Harold and Colleen Ross of Tennessee.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda Ross of Turlock, his son, Shannon (Christine) Ross of Turlock and daughter Ronnette (Sharen) Smithcamp of Santa Cruz; five grandchildren: Tricia (Cliff) Amick of Riverbank, Austin (Marisa) Chandler of Billings, Montana, Anthony (Erica) Ross of College Station, Texas, Adrianna (John) Crofoot of Roseville, and Aidan (Stephanie) Chandler of Turlock; and six great-grandchildren: Hayden Hayward, Anthony Ross Jr., Chloe Ross, Kaydence Ross, Cameron Crofoot, and Sophia Chandler.

Those wishing to attend the military honors service are invited to gather on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.

A Celebration of Life will be held later that afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at The Grand Oak, 1450 N. Soderquist Rd, Turlock, California, where family, friends, and acquaintances are welcome to gather to honor and remember his life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to Covenant Care Home Health & Hospice, 125 N Broadway #1a, Turlock, CA 95380.