Funeral service with full military honors for CPO (Retired) Charles William Ross will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 23, 2019 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain (LT) Nathan Boon officiating.

CPO (Retired) Charles William Ross, 92, Lawton, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2019 in Lawton. He was born December 21, 1926 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Murray John and Frances Louise (Cleghorn) Ross. He married Pauline Edna Hunnewell on December 24, 1948 in Winter Harbor, Maine. Pauline passed away November 2, 1996.

Charlie never finished high school due to the fact he dropped out of school to enlist in the United States Navy in April of 1944. He served in World War II and Korea and served until his retirement in 1964. While serving in the United States Navy he was awarded several medals for sharp shooting as well as speed key certification for being able to send and receive 200 words a minute in Morse code. Despite not finishing high school he went on to complete two college degrees. He loved to fly and later became a certified flight instructor. He loved to ride motorcycles and fly around in his own plane, an Aronca Champ. He enjoyed racing and never missed an Indianapolis 500 race until the last two years. He loved to travel and spent time in various parts of the United States and several countries. He was very quick witted and could "spin a great yarn" which led him to write several stories that were published as well as writing his autobiography. He loved books, playing cards (especially Oh Hell), and hanging out with his friends at his favorite "watering hole" and watching the Super Bowl every year until this year. One of his latest hobbies was working on his single person boat and he could not wait to take it out once is had been completed.

Survivors include his three sons, Charles Patrick Ross and wife Jennie of Quincy, Massachusetts, Charles William Ross, II and wife Autumn of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Lon Dale Ross and wife Cristine of Lawton, two daughters, Tanya Pearson and husband Gary of Defuniak Springs, Florida and Deanna Daniel of Cantwell, Alaska, nephew, Robert Ross and wife Roberta of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren plus one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son, James William Ross, one daughter, Lorinda Icenogle and one brother, Robert Ross.