In Memoriam: Thomas Ross, Jr. ’69, OD ’71

Thomas Ross, Jr. '69, OD ’71died Sept. 14, 2021, at age 84 in Phoenix, Ariz. He was born in Silver City, N.M., on Aug. 28, 1937, to Thomas Delaware and Doris Cook Ross. He was the oldest of three siblings. He served with distinction in the U.S. Navy. After becoming an optometrist, he practiced in the Gila Valley and throughout Arizona.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons. He survived by his wife, Sherril; his children, Tommy (and Ellie), Tamara Jones (and Tom), Tanya Anway (and David), Todd (and Sonia), Tiffany Howard (and Kyle), Tasha Mattice (and Jared) and Tara Marriott (and Josh); three stepsons Les Sanders (and Lisa), Brad Sanders (and Holly) and Mike Sanders (and Danielle); 23 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; his sister, Sandra Waters; his brother, Louis Ross (and Linda); and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.