Elmer Wesley Ross |
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Burley, Idaho – Elmer Wesley Ross, the oldest son of six children of John Wesley and Inez Esther (Cunningham) Ross, passed away shortly before his 95 birthday on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013.
Wesley was born in Cambridge, Cowley County, Kansas, and later that year moved west with his parents and settled in Jerome, Idaho, where the family engaged in farming. Wesley completed his education in the late 30s with his graduation from the Appleton Community School just west of Jerome. At the advent of World War II, Wesley terminated his farming exemption and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and received basic and specialized training in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Spokane, Washington, before deploying to the European Theater at Bedford, England, from 1942-1945.
Following the war he returned to Jerome and began his 16-year farming carrier at the Appleton Heights Ranch a few miles west of Jerome. On Feb. 10, 1946, he married Jennie Frances Dotson at the First Christian Church in Burley, Idaho, and together, they farmed at the ranch until the summer of 1961, when they sold the operation and purchased the rental real estate business of Frank and Caroline Dotson and moved the family to Burley.
Wesley was a successful business owner his entire life both on the farm and later as the owner of rental real estate and still later the Starlite Motel. At the time of his death, Wesley had resided in Burley almost 52 years.
Wesley served in the community as Scout Master of Troop 17 for several years and was also active in Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship as well.
He is survived by his children, Allan (Mary) Ross of Turner, Oregon, Darrell Ross of Burley, Carolyn (Wayne) Bell of Eagle Point, Oregon, Norman (Sharon) Ross of Baytown, Texas, and Gordon (JoAnn) Ross of San Antonio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his sons, Lyle and Calvin; and a grandson, Daniel. Calvin’s wife, Gayle, survives as well as 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, John and Harold Ross of Jerome.
Wesley, a faithful Christian, was active in the First Christian Church of Burley, and later the Mountain View Assembly of God Church of Burley, and finally the Rupert Assembly of God Church. Today, Wesley is with the Lord Jesus Christ – the promise and hope of the Christian faith.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where friends and family may call one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization. Burial will follow at the Paul Cemetery.