Joseph G. Ross

March 9, 1943 - February 22, 2016

Joe Ross was born on March 9th, 1943 at North Platte Nebraska. He was the only child born to Glenn and Laura Henner Ross. Joe grew up on the family farm northeast of Madrid where he attended country school. He later attended Madrid Public Schools where he graduated with the class of 1962. Growing up on the farm he enjoyed working with horses and livestock on the farm. He loved hunting and enjoyed the times when the Ross family would make a hunting trip to the Crawford area. Joe was a good athlete in high school and participated in football, basketball, and track. After graduation as a Madrid Pirate, he moved to the Sandhills and began working on a ranch. Joe was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Anna "Tiss" Vlasin, on June 13th, 1963 in Pocatella Idaho. They returned to Madrid where Joe worked for Whitey Shirley at Shirley's Repair-an automotive repair shop. Joe eventually purchased the business and changed the name to Ross's Repair where his family has maintained the business. Joe passed his hard work ethic and knowledge to his son and later his grandson. Joe and Ann later bought Novus Windshield Repair which they operated until his illness. Joe inherited his father's love of competitive shooting. He later taught his children and grandchildren to shoot as well. He shot competitively in the IPSC gun club. Joe also enjoyed hunting with his grandsons, camping, four wheeling, rodeos, derbies, and woodworking. He was a good horse rider and at one time participated in the Pony Express Ride. Joe loved spending time with his family which he considered his pride and joy. He was a father figure to many and was known as Papa Joe. His love was contagious and he made sure his family knew that he loved each one. Joe enjoyed sharing his love of Johnny Cash with the family and putting a smile on everyone's face with his infamous wink. He had been a longtime member of the Elsie Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church and served as a volunteer fireman in Madrid. Joe had developed a malignancy this winter and had been moved to Great Plains Health in North Platte where he died on Monday night, February 22, 2016. He was 72 years old. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Stan Vlasin and his brother-in-law, Paul Vlasin. He is survived by his wife, Ann of Madrid; 3 sons- Nicholas (Sandra) and Daniel (Joey) all of Madrid and Thomas (Michelle) of Elsie; 1 daughter-Kaylynn (Justin) Harris of McCook; 12 grandchildren- Megan, Tony, Brittany, Vincent, Jay (Nicole), Brandie and Spencer Ross; Ju lee (Jeremy) Zenor; Wyatt, Lane, Gemma, and Jax Harris; his mother-in-law, Dorothy (Vlasin) Milner of Imperial; and many other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be shared online at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant with Father Tom Kuffel as celebrant. Burial will be in the Madrid Cemetery. A rosary will be recited on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.