James William Ross, 84, of Dade City, Florida, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 27th, 2022, at home with his wife of 64 years, Sara Frances (Howard), by his side. James was born January 24, 1938, in Live Oak, Florida, to Nell Vivian (Johnson) and Oscar Thomas Ross, who preceded him in death. James came to Dade City at age 11 where he lived with his mother and stepfather, Joe Factor. Previously, he spent time living with his aunt Elsie Johnson and brother in Mississippi and also with his parents in Maine and Pennsylvania. He was baptized in the Catholic Church on December 18, 1950. James attended Pasco High School. While attending school, he worked as the projectionist at the Pasco Theater and the Joy-Lan Drive-In. In his younger years, he enjoyed rebuilding cars and was an avid photographer of both lifestyle and candid photography. There was nothing that escaped his curiosity; figuring out how things worked, even if that meant taking them apart and reconstructing them. He could fix or build anything! Throughout his life, he worked at Bud's Auto Electric, Dade City Truck & Equipment/Florida Refrigerated, Dixie Auto Parts, Ford Motor Company, Versco Construction, Gulf Construction, Diaz Fritz and Walbridge Aldinger Construction where he was a construction superintendent. On September 24, 1954, a 14-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy went on a first date! Three years later on September 8, 1957, Sara Howard married James Ross. Many said they were too young, it will never last. Sixty-four years, five months, nineteen days later, death parted them. After years of dementia slowly taking James' memory, he is at peace. In addition to his wife Sara, James is survived by his daughters: Nora Vivian Bowen (Jerry) and Martha Rose Cunningham (Mac), brother Thomas Edward Ross (Anne Carter), grandchildren: William Thomas Turner (Jennifer), Paul Dean Draheim (Angela); 3 great grandchildren and many amazing nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Patricia Louise Ross and granddaughter Jennifer Renee Turner. While he was a quiet and reserved man in public, he was greatly loved and admired by his family members, especially his nieces and nephews. He loved teasing children and adults alike with rooster and kitten imitations. He was frequently caught sneaking chocolate chip cookies in the middle of the night. He loved sharing his peppermints with his constant companion, Sugar, a black Shar Pei. He was a very caring father, always making sure we were all tucked in in the middle of the night. James was a highly dedicated man who took pride in both his work and family. We are grateful for every day and will miss him forever! Graveside Services will be held 10am Friday, March 11th, 2022, at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Dade City. Graveside Service

Mt. Zion Cemetery

Friday, March 11, 2022 10:00 AM 14651 Mt. Zion Road Dade City, Florida 33523 Directions