Jack C. Ross, 85

Jack C. Ross, 85, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, in Sandpoint, Idaho, with his family in attendance.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010 at the Lakeview Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Neuder of the First Lutheran Church officiating.

A reception will follow at the Wiley Widgeon Café at the Sandpoint Elk’s Lodge.

Jack was born in Topeka, Kan., on July 30, 1925, to Richard Still Ross and Iva Fern Butts Ross.

He attended grade schools in Topeka, and graduated from Topeka High School.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941 and served with the Navy Air Force.

While stationed on Attu Island, Alaska,, on a bombing mission, their plane was struck by enemy fire. They managed to land on Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) where they were interned for approximately eight months.

Jack was honorably discharged from the service in 1946, and went to work for the Veteran’s Administration in Topeka.

On Aug. 20, 1948, he married Virginia Lee Storey in Benton-ville, Ark.

Jack attended Farragut College from 1948-1949.

When the college closed he enrolled at North Idaho College, graduating in 1950 with an associate degree in science.

He started to work with the Panhandle Health District covering the five northern counties of Idaho.

He moved to Sandpoint in 1951.

Later he attended classes at Washington State University and the University of Colorado for special classes on environmental sciences. He retired in 1983.

Jack earned several awards for his work with the environment.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, was a 4-H leader for 13 years, a Boy Scout leader for Troop 111, and was instrumental in founding the first Boy Scout Explorer troop in Sandpoint.

Jack loved his family and their large fun-filled get-togethers.

His hobbies include gardening, fishing, and his fall hunting trips with friends.

After retirement he and Virginia traveled a great deal. His favorite part of winter travel was watching the Mariners spring baseball in Arizona.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Ross of Sandpoint; four children, Kathy (Steve) Zender of Chewelah, Wash., Timothy (Sandy) Ross of Hope, Idaho, Richard (Betsi) Ross of Sandpoint, and Ann Ross (Tony Chambers) of Seattle, Wash; five grandchildren, Eric Zender, Shannon Zender Main, Brent Carter, Dillon Carter, and Taylor Carter; and four great-grandchildren Brenna, Lilly, Jack, and Landon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister Catherine Boggs.

Memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church’s building fund, 417 N. Fourth Avenue, Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Jack’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.