Gary R. Ross, 71, entered eternal rest on May 23, 2018, at Corning Specialty Care, Corning, Iowa.

Gary Roland Ross, the son of Clifford Eugene and Dorothy Margaret (Esser) Ross, was born on May 11, 1947, in Greene, Iowa. Gary graduated from Greene High School with the class of 1965. He then attended Elsworth Junior College for a short time.

Gary was united in marriage to Barbara Poppe on June 18, 1966. Two children were born to this union, Tammy and Jason. They later divorced. Gary served his country entering the National Guard in 1967. He was honorably discharged in 1976.

Gary was a businessman, owning two car washes in Waterloo, Iowa, the University Car and the PDQ. He was also the owner of the Cardinal Lounge in Hudson, Iowa, for a short time. He then went back to school in 1985, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Northern Iowa, and graduated with honors in 1986. He then began working for the Social Security Administration in Creston, Iowa.

He would later meet Sally Ann Mills and they were married on Sept. 12, 1987, in Waterloo, Iowa. Gary’s family grew to include Sally’s children, Jason and Shelly. Shortly after they were married, they moved to North Platte, then to Denver, Iowa, and in 2000, to Rolla, Missouri, where he would continue working for the Social Security Administration until his retirement in 2003.

In August 2016, Gary and Sally moved to their home in Corning.

Gary was a former member of the Elks Club and Rotary Club. He was member of the Gasoline Dealers Association, of which he was a former president. Gary had a huge love for golf, joining local country clubs wherever they lived. He also loved deer hunting. Gary had a love for dogs and enjoyed taking his kids around BMX racing, when they were younger. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceding Gary in death were his parents, and brother, Robert Ross.

Left to cherish Gary’s memory are his loving wife, Sally of Corning; children from his first marriage, Tammy (partner, Charles Hall) Sutton of Gilbert, Arizona, Jason (Shelly) Ross of Waukee, Iowa; children from his second marriage, Jason (Dennae) Wilkening of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Shelly Parsons of Creston, Iowa; grandchildren, Amanda, Noele, Tiffany, Savanna, Kylie, Paige, Cheyenne, Cooper, Carsyn; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Gene (Sandra) Ross of Greene, Iowa, and Dennis (Mary Jane) Ross of Greene, Iowa; sisters, Nancy (David) Boehmere of Waterloo, Iowa, and Susan Ross of Texas; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be shared at Mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. In lieu of flowers, the family request to have memorials directed to Care Initiatives in Corning, Iowa 50841.

Services will be on Saturday, June 9, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home, Marshalltown, Iowa, which is in charge of arrangements.