Arthur R Ross

Arthur Rollie Ross, of Grand Jct. CO. Born April 17, 1932, died August 13,2023 at his home with family. Son of Clarence Edward Ross and Edith Campbell Ross.

His siblings were Alta, Elmer, LaVonia, Charlie, David, Mary Ellen, and Doug. All preceded him to Heaven.

He was raised on a ranch homestead on Wilson Mesa CO in a two room cabin with his 7 siblings.  They later moved to Telluride and to Montrose.

Art was a wrestler at Grand Junction High School. He recently got to share some of his wrestling moves with his great-grandson, Trey on a visit. Something Art truly enjoyed.

After High School, he joined the Army during the Korean War. His basic training was at Fort Bliss in El Paso TX. He always referred to basic training as the “Battle of Fort Bliss.”

Art would come home late at night and hear his Mama lifting him up in prayer. 

One night his sister LaVonia invited him to revival service at First Assembly of God. He received the Lord as his Savior and has never wavered in his walk in the Lord. During his time at church he met a dainty little red head, the love of his life. They were at a church basket dinner and Art was won over by Mary Beth's fried chicken and pecan pie. He courted Mary Beth Rowland and they married November 22,1957 at First Assembly of God at the corner of 4th and Grand. The church choir sang a song ," Bless This House.”  And the Lord truly blessed their marriage and family.

Art and Mary Beth had 65 years of marriage. Art and Mary Beth moved to Moab UT not long after they got married. Art worked in the uranium industry as a miner, truck driver and a heavy equipment operator.

He worked for a short time as a miner at the Potash Plant downriver from Moab. Two weeks into his new job, his foreman told him he didn’t pass his job physical and to go home and call his Doctor. He was diagnosed with lung cancer at 32 years old. At a prayer meeting on a Wednesday night church service, his church family prayed for him. He knew God had healed him. When he went back to his family Doctor, more tests were taken. His Doctor told him that medically he didn’t know what happened, but there was no sign of any lung cancer anymore. He never was tired of sharing his testimony of healing.

Art started a trucking company in Moab hauling LP gas. He also was a driver for P.I.E. Trucking hauling crude oil from near Dead Horse Point to Moab. He won many safety awards and never had a single driving accident. He received an award for no accidents in 2 million miles.

Later in his 50s he started all over. He became a sales representative for United Laboratories. He worked throughout the 4 corners area on several of the Native American reservations. Mary Beth traveled with him much of the time. 

Art and Mary Beth were active in the congregation of Moab First Assembly of God for over 40 years. When they retired in 1996 they moved back to Grand Junction to be close to family.

There they became active in First A/G, now VLC. Serving on the church board.

Art loved camping, fishing, & hunting with family and friends. The La Sal Mountains were always one of his favorite places to go.

Art had the knack for growing a garden. 

To Art and Mary Beth's union came three wonderful children:

Tom (June) Ross of Snyder TX

Beth (Aaron) Waddington of Forsyth MT

Steven (Jennie) Ross of Moab UT

The greatest loss to them was the passing of their "Beth" to brain cancer.  She fought the battle for seven years. She passed on Nov. 27, 2021. This was extremely hard on them.

Then Art’s precious Mary Beth went to Heaven on May 4th 2023. He missed her so much. They had such love and commitment for each other as God had designed a marriage to be.

Art and Mary Beth leave their sons behind, grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.

Grandkids:

Barbara (Justin) Hayes of MN

Ryan and (Mercedes) Ross of AZ

Tiffany (Charlie) Johnson of MT

Angela (Cody) Carlisle of TX

Leesa ( Brian) of MT

Eric Waddington of MT

Kevin Gerber of UT

Jason Gerber of UT

Great-grandkids:

Emerald, Chloe, Trey, Jo Beth,

David Aaron, Savannah, Judah,

Levi, Adam, Jameson

Great-great-granddaughter:

Opal Elizabeth

A Military Honors Ceremony will be held September 15, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Veteran's Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, Grand Junction CO, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life for Art & Mary Beth at 402 Grand Ave. Downtown Vineyard Church, Grand Junction CO.