Howard (Sonny) went to be with his Lord Feb. 11, 2023. Son of Howard T. Ross, Sr. and Hilda Annette (Giffin) Ross. Howard had a twin sister, Marilyn, and has a younger brother, John.

 

Howard graduated from Aurora High School on May 23, 1948. While he won an academic scholarship, Howard selected to enter the U.S. Navy. After joining the Navy he went to college at nights and weekends until he received his undergraduate business degree from Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio. His graduate studies, in business management, were accomplished at Central Michigan University. He also completed logistic courses at the Navy War College and a multitude of other educational establishments. Howard retired from the Navy in the rank of Captain serving 30 years on June 30, 1978.

 

Howard was wed to his high school sweetheart, Marylou Watts on July 20, 1950 and they immediately left for Bermuda, BWI where Howard was assigned duty with a Navy Seaplane Squadron (VP-45). To this couple were born 3 children, a son, Michael, a daughter, Nancylou, and another son, Kenneth. His wife, Marylou died in 1998 in Tucson Arizona. Michael was also a retired navy officer and predeceased Howard on August 1, 2022. Kenneth passed on August 20, 1975.

 

Howard and Marylou relocated to Tucson, Arizona in 1988 following their daughter who had settled in Tucson in 1987. Soon after Michael, his wife Diane and twins, Rachel and Jason also moved to Tucson! It was a great joy to have the family reunited again.

 

In 2001, Howard was reunited with and married, Lillian Faye Giffin. Howard and Lillian had grown up in Aurora, Indiana, had gone to the same schools and church and participated in many family events over the years. After a short but exciting courtship, Howard and Faye eloped to Las Vegas and married October 29,2001. Lillian passed on July 31, 2019.

 

Howard indicated he had 3 passions over the years. The first was to live a Christian life of service and witness. The second was his immediate and extended family. And the third was music – vocal, instrumental, singly and in various groups.

 

Howard loved his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren very much. Family gatherings were very important. Almost any excuse served well to get as many as possible together for a game night or dinner.

 

A great deal of music was introduced early on in both school and church. Piano lessons, Cherub Choir, youth choir, Junior High Boys Glee Club, Mixed Choir led the way to High School Concert and Marching Band and vocal mixed and male choruses. (Howard was a percussionist and played the French horn) Howard advanced to the adult church choir where his mother was the director. Missing practice was never an option!

 

After leaving home he continued his music activity playing in the Recruit Training Command Drum and Bugle Corps, the Navy Marching Band in Memphis, Tennessee and had his own 17 piece dance band in Bermuda, He directed multiple adult choirs throughout his life in many different locations.

 

In lieu of flowers Howard has shared gifts to the Immanuel Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund are preferred. The interest income from the Endowment Fund helps expand our mission presence in our community, across the nation, and around the world.

 

After leaving home there were two things that kept running through Howard's mind as he served in the Navy and beyond. These were  “What would Jesus do” and “Never shame your parents!” He felt those kept him on the straight and narrow throughout his life. Howard believed in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His faith prepared him for the end of his earthly body into the beginning of his heavenly body. He is at peace and with his Lord.