John Joseph “Jack” Ross, 87, of Hibbing, Minn., died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012, at Guardian Angels Health Care Center, Hibbing.
He was born Feb. 15, 1925, in Duluth, Minn., to James and Margaret Ross.
Jack left high school to join the United States Navy and served his country during World War II. Among other campaigns, he participated in the D-Day invasion.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis with a degree in engineering.
Jack surveyed reservoir projects, which led him to Lemmon, S.D., where he met his future wife, Betty Heeren.
He worked as a civil engineer for the Arthur G. McKee Company, where he became vice president and general manager.
Jack was a youth hockey coach for many years and was instrumental in the development of area youth hockey rinks.
He was an avid golfer and a member of Mesaba Country Club where he won many awards, including the 1984 N.W. Senior Championship.
Jack was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8510, American Legion Post 222, the Knights of Columbus and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
During the 1980s, he served on the Hibbing City Council.
Jack enjoyed morning coffee with his Hardee’s Coffee Group.
He is survived by three sons, Andy (Tina) Ross of Hibbing, Charles (Kelly) Ross of Fort Collins, Colo., and John Ross of Duluth; three daughters, Molly Ross of Edina, Minn., Jane (Alton Anderson) Ross of Duluth, and Ann Joe of Plymouth, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Kaylea, Ian, James, Margaret, Ben, Spencer, Cameron and Kadence; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 1998; his parents; and siblings, Frank, Katherine, Ann, Mae, Lawrence and James; and his beloved pet, “Toby.”
Visitation took place from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing, and from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Monday Aug. 27, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Interment is at Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing.
To sign the guestbook online, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.
Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing, was in charge of arrangements.
