Roll Call Tribute

Morrill "Skip" Ross, Jr. 

April 15, 1933 - August 2, 2023 

LTC Morrill “Skip” Ross, Jr. was born on April 15, 1933 in Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, Hawaii, the son of Gen. Morrill Ross and Catherine Coolidge Ross.

He began his military career as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1952, following graduation from New Braunfels High School. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in 1956 in Armor, but later switched to Engineers. His service included tours at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; as well as Germany, Korea, Bogota, Columbia, and Vietnam.

Along the way, Skip was also at two universities, Texas A&M for his masters in engineering and Texas Tech to instruct ROTC, as well as duty with the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. After his retirement from the Army in 1976, Skip joined his brother Jon Ross in a grading, site work and paving company in San Antonio, Texas. He was an active member of Windcrest United Methodist Church, serving in various ways, particularly their Neighbors Helping Neighbors ministry. He was a member of the Alamo Heights Rotary Club and faithfully worked on their fundraisers and their Meals on Wheels as a volunteer. Skip’s favorite pastimes were boating and golfing and he played and served with the Fort Sam Houston’s Men’s Golf Association for many years, and was a member of the Central-Texas Grasshoppers. He treasured reunions with his West Point classmates, whether for golfers, for Company A-2, or for the whole class.

Skip is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Frances Triesch Ross, two children: a son David C. Ross and wife, Penny of Allenspark, Colorado, and a daughter Tracy E. Ross and husband, Hector Hernandez of New Braunfels, Texas. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Samuel Ross, Melinda Ross, and Lillian Ross, by one brother, Jon Ross and wife JoAnn, and his sister-in-law, Betty Ross. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles C. Ross.

Skip was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, a beloved grandfather, a cheerful friend to all, a lover of animals, gregarious and an eternal optimist. He had a great sense of humor, a true faith in God, and loved his country. His was a life well lived and he was truly loved and will be greatly missed, but with so many fond memories.

Skip’s family is very grateful for the care and compassion shown to him by the staff at the Healthcare Center within the Army Residence Community and Hope Hospice during the past several months of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a church or charity of your choice.

A memorial service for Skip will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Sunset Funeral Chapel; 1701 Austin Hwy; San Antonio, TX 78218. Following the memorial service will be a committal service from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com  for the Ross family.

IN THE CARE OF
Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home