James Raymond Ross, Jr.

James Raymond Ross, Jr. passed away on April 5, 2017 in the Tecumseh home he shared with the love of his life. He had recently celebrated his 70th birthday with family and friends.

The son of James and Shirley Ross, James was born in Berkley, Mich., on February 25, 1947, and graduated from Berkley High School in 1965.

After two years at Oakland University, James served his country in Vietnam from 1968-70 as a Green Beret.

He resumed his studies and later graduated from Wayne State University and pursued a career in sales and marketing for several Detroit area firms, while living in Detroit and later Bloomfield Hills. He married Cheryl Valentine, of Southfield, in 1972.

After his marriage ended in 1997, James moved to Tecumseh to be near family, working first at the manufacturing firm, Ididit, and later at Ten Pin Alley where he enjoyed holding court and getting to know the local community.

Jim (as he was known) could talk to anyone and would strike up a conversation with any and all strangers everywhere he went — and he’d usually find something they shared in common. He had a kind heart and would always reach out if he saw someone who seemed lonely.

His wonderful sense of humor was a treat to all who knew him and Jim loved to read, debate politics, go to “the show” and play golf. He was also a fierce Detroit Tigers fan, and enjoyed marathon talks about old movies and family stories with his only sister, Sharon Ross Nix of Tecumseh.

Jim met his greatest love, Jan Rosacrans of Tecumseh, one night in 2004 at Ten Pin, and they spent nearly every day after that together, traveling much of the country, visiting friends and family and enjoying Jan's grandchildren — to whom he was known and much-loved as “Big Jim.”

Jim is survived by Jan; his sister, Sharon; his nieces, Jennifer Nix Leonard (and her husband Steven Leonard) of Sausalito Calif., and Kathryn Nix of Pittsburgh Pa.; grand-niece Anna Nix Rieker and grand-nephew William Nix Dripps.

As a final contribution in this life, Jim was an organ donor.

A memorial service will be 12 p.m. (noon) Monday, April 17, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 506 N. Union St., with Fr. Daniel Wheeler officiating. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. to noon, one hour prior to the service.

Memorial donations can be made to the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/MIG) or the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (www.nkfm.org). 

Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.