Roy Dwayne Ross, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away at his home on June 4, 2024 as a result of his long-fought battle with thyroid cancer. He was born to Leslie Dale and Carlotha Pearl (Messer) Ross on December 11, 1941 at their family home in Olds, Iowa. Roy graduated from Olds Consolidated High School in 1960. He was united in marriage to Karol (King) Ross at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa on February 16, 1964. In 1966, their daughter Anita (Ross) Shull was born.
Roy started his career after high school working for Kennedy’s Dairy as a Milk Man delivering to homes and businesses in the local area. In 1964 Roy joined the Iowa National Guard and later took a position as full time Army (ARNG) where he retired as a Command Sergeant Major (CSM). He served his county during Desert Storm and was a proud member of the military that serves our country. Before he became full time ARNG, he worked for Colonial Bakery, Moorman Feeds, Dickeys Prairie Home, and owned and operated “Sport Shack”, a local sporting goods store in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. After retirement from the Army, Roy owned and operated RACK Express delivering pharmaceuticals to pharmacies and hospitals and canceled bank checks to the Federal Reserve. He also drove many years for SEIBUS transporting members of Henry County to and from errands and appointments.
Roy loved basketball, softball, coin collecting and finding antique treasures. He was an avid supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Mt. Pleasant Panthers. His hobbies included bowling, fishing and NASCAR. He worked part-time enjoying his love of racing at the Donnellson Speedway. Roy and Karol spent many winters in Florida either in a condo or traveling in their motorhome and met many lifelong friends along the way. They also volunteered their time helping to dig wells in Guatemala.
Roy was extremely proud of his grandchildren Kelcey Williams (Mandy Axmann) and Spencer Shull (Cadie Brown-Shull) and his great grandchildren Kinsley Williams, Bellamy Brown-Shull and Athena Brown-Shull. He spent many hours on the lawnmower teaching his grandchildren to drive. He enjoyed watching their sporting events, taking them to races, and fishing with them. He and Karol also celebrated with a special trip to Disney with both of the grandchildren. He loved watching Kinsley play select softball via technology and streaming all her games. He also loved being able to video chat with Bellamy and Athena almost daily.
Roy will be greatly missed by his wife Karol; daughter Anita Shull; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his sister Florence Ross Smith and husband Rick; nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother Keith Ross; sister Helen Schaefer and her husband Pete and their son Doug Schaeffer; sister Lois Roth and her husband Glen; brother Delmar Ross; and his father and mother-in-law, John and Frances (Bird) King.
Visitation will be held at Elliott Chapel, New London, from 9:00 – 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The family asks that you join them with a toast to Roy during visitation hours enjoying his favorite Casey’s cake donuts along with juice and coffee. A Celebration of his life will begin at 11:00 with Chaplain Don Combs officiating. Inurnment of his cremains with military rites by The Henry County Honor Guard will be held at Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, following the service. A memorial has been established for Compassus Hospice in Washington, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.