John F. Ross was born in New Castle, PA on May 20, 1935, to his loving parents, Samuel F. Ross and Marie Rose Zarilla. He graduated from New Castle High School before embracing his love for education to embark on a Journey of learning in which he earned induction into the academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa and which traversed from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA (undergrad), Duquesne University in Pittsburg, PA (master’s degrees in Education and Math), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - National Science Foundation (advanced math degree) to Sacramento State University in Sacramento, CA (classes required to teach in CA) which all eventually and strategically placed him in spaces that allowed him to be an educator, mentor, counselor, and comforter to so many. John taught at White Hall Middle School while attending Duquesne University. After graduating, John, with his wife, Ruth, and their 3 young children made their way to CA where John began his thirty-six (36) year career as a teacher and counselor at Bella Vista High School. During those years, John and Ruth expanded their family with 5 more children. John’s retirement (from Bella Vista) was brief and his love for teaching led him to Western Career College where he taught math until his second retirement in 2006. 

John was a humble, compassionate, and empathetic man who loved God and his family deeply.  He had a quick wit about him that ensured he was always at the ready with one-liners, sarcastic quips, humorous stories or the quintessential dad-joke, whatever the occasion called for.  He enjoyed being outdoors and loved to travel and to be with his family, both the one he was building and raising on the West Coast and the ones he and Ruth moved away from on the East Coast. The combination of those things likely prompted John and Ruth (with 8 kids in tow) to brave summertime, cross-country road trips in the family’s iconic teal and white ‘69 Dodge van – effectively bringing East and West Coast together. In addition to those cross-country trips, the family put many miles on that van in pursuit of the best fishing (oh the stories John could tell) and camping spots – creating generations of memories. John spent many years playing softball. He enjoyed the competition yet was always a pillar of sportsmanship. John played for many years and on many teams, which included some with his sons, coed teams with a few of his daughters, and a travel team later in life called The Golden Seniors. His passion for the sport ran so deep, that against doctor’s orders he would try to enlist anyone he could to play catch in the street with him, when he should have been recovering from shoulder surgery. He shared his wisdom, humor, and passions freely and welcomed all to join with open arms.

John had a way of living, loving, and teaching that was inspired by his deep and unwavering faith that left each person feeling profoundly seen, heard, understood, and loved. His humanity and capacity to love broadly and individually seemed limitless. The world lost a wonderful man as he was welcomed home to God on January 19, 2025.

John was preceded in death by both of his parents, Samuel and Marie Rose, and his brother, Victor Ross. He passed away peacefully in his home in Fair Oaks, CA surrounded by his wife, Ruth, and all 8 of his children, as well as several of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife, Ruth; his eight children, Rose Johnson, Cheryl Berghorst, Thomas Ross (Debbie), Mary Adelman, Connie Damon (Mike), Nancy Rash (Rob), James Ross, and Patricia Ross; as well as eighty-three (83) grand, great, and great-great grandchildren.

Though his passing has left a hole in the hearts of his family that cannot be filled, his legacy will live on through the lives and in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known him. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Services for John Francis Ross are as follows: 

Friends and family are invited to attend a Visitation on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 1pm - 3pm, a Visitation on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 5pm - 6pm with a Recitation of the Rosary at 6pm, all at Price Funeral Chapel (6335 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, CA 95610).  A Mass of Christian Burial will occur at 10:30am on Friday, January 31, 2025 at St Mel Catholic Church (4745 Pennsylvania Ave., Fair Oaks, CA 95628) with the Committal Service following at 12pm at Calvary Catholic Cemetery (7100 Verner Ave., Citrus Heights, CA 95621).

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held January 31, from 1pm until 3pm at Foothill Community Center 5510 Diablo Dr., Sacramento, CA.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in John’s honor to one of the following charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Children’s, or Alzheimer’s Association.

Services will be Livestreamed through St. Mel Catholic Church. Follow the link www.stmelchurch.org and scroll down to WATCH ONLINE and click on the image below.