Memorial service for James B. (Jim) Ross, Jr., Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired) will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2019 in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel

Colonel Ross died Sunday, June 16, 2019 in Lawton.  He was born on August 21, 1928 in Ozark, Arkansas.  After graduating from Little Rock High School (later renamed Central High) in 1946, he attended Arkansas Tech, a Junior College.  After completing the two years, he joined the Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in Class 49-C.  His class was one of the last lucky ones to fly the F-51 Mustang.  Upon graduating he flew the F-86 in the 93 ^rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.  He then flew over 100 missions in the F-80 and F-86 over North Korea.  Next came the more hazardous assignment of Pilot Training from beginners to fighter upgrade training in later years.  A two year stint in the B-66 light bomber in England helped broaden his perspective of aviation, before returning to the states to get his first college degree through Operation Bootstrap.  Another tour in Training Command provided much operational supervisory experience before a second combat tour flying the F-105 "Thud" over North Vietnam in 1967-68.  His final assignment brought him back to New Mexico as Commander 8 ^th Fighter Squadron, flying the F-4 at Holloman AFB.  He retired after 22 years in 1970.  He received numerous awards and decorations including the Silver Star Medal.

Career #2 as a high school teacher began with establishing and teaching Air Force Junior ROTC for five years followed by teaching various levels of mathematics until retirement in 1986.  His wife of 36 years and mother of their two sons, Zenie, died of cancer in 1986.  He then returned to school earning his second Master's degree in social work and worked as a family therapist in Career #3.  While in graduate-school he met and married Norma DeLoach Munden.  They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he retired from his last career.  Jim and Norma traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and every continent except Antarctica.

Jim leaves behind his wife, Norma; his son, Jim (III) and daughter-in-law Naomi; brothers, David and Robert; Norma's son Steve Munden; Norma's daughter, Julia Salas; five grandchildren, Caylor, Halley and Logan Ross, Mistral and Leah Salas, and a dear friend and devoted visitor, Tony Salas; plus extended family members.

His son, Larry, and Norma's son, Mark Munden, preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Cedar Crest Manor, 1700 NW Ft. Sill Blvd, Lawton OK 73507.