James Falconer Ross
James (Jim) Ross, 83, died July 20, 2020, at his home in Nassau Bay, Texas. At his request, only a small private service will be held. Jim was born November 6,1936, in Vernon, Texas, to John and Mary Lou (Prewit) Ross. He was a voracious reader with many interests ranging from historical to current affairs. He volunteered in the United States Air Force at age 22. Afterward he attended the University of Texas, on the GI Bill while working at the State Hospital in Austin, Texas. He graduated with a degree in chemical engineering and began his career in Texas City, Texas working for Amoco Oil Company. He worked over 25 years for Amoco, retiring in 1999. Life in Texas City was relatively quiet raising his family with his wife Melba Waxler Ross (deceased 1987). They loved summer camping vacations and attending school activities with the kids. Jim married Joan Johnson Ross in 1995 (deceased 2019). Jim and Joan moved to Nassau Bay, Texas and enjoyed their retirement years. He is survived by his daughters: Jeannette DeHaan, Rebecca Clayton, Mary Dibble, and Charlotte Smith. He had three sons: Jim T. Ross, Freddy Johnson, and Jimmy Johnson. He loved his grandchildren: Melinda, Terry, Nick, Travis, Emma, Erin, Carissa, Jason, and Sydney very much. He was also a beloved great grandfather to Avery, Elliott, Harper and Michael. Condolences can be sent to Crowder Funeral Home. Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
My stepdad, my intelligent and witty friend. You are and will be missed. Go fly with the angels and save me a seat. Maybe I’ll know as much as you when we meet again. Love you Jim
My condolences to you all. Mr. Ross was a very nice man. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
My friend and my mentor. Thank you Jim. I will miss you.
Dear Charlotte,
My condolences to you and your family. I am very sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a good and kind man. Blessings to all of you.
Jerry Pontikas
Jim was a very special part of my life and he will be missed. I spent a lot of time with him and Joan over the years and he was always kind to me and always a wealth of information. Very much enjoyed our conversations.
A gentleman and good soul all way around. So glad I got to meet him and make his acquaintance ❤️ To family
Charlotte and family – we have so many good memories of your Dad at work and outside work. Jim was an incredible teacher and generous person. We loved his sense of humor! My favorite memories are with my kiddos during their 8th grade history projects that they interviewed your Dad. He told our son that the best thing to come from the Space Race was ‘Tang’!! When our daughter interviewed him a couple years later one morning, he insisted on cooking us breakfast, telling us he often cooked breakfast for you and your friends! We will miss him. Sending our love to you guys.
I met Jim 41 years ago. He was my first boss, but over the years he became one of my best friends. He was still a mentor and teacher, but mostly he was my friend. I have to say that he inspired and infuriated many a young (and not-so-young) engineer with his teaching methods. His Rossisms are legendary. I would say that Jim caused more people to actually use their heads and think than anyone else. He took the time to teach rather than just provide answers. I will never forget him and believe I am way better off for having known him. He probably saved my job more than once! And he certainly helped make me a more educated person. But I will miss his friendship the most. Thanks for everything, Jim!!
Jim is one of my favorite people. I learned so much from him and respected him deeply. He was a great teacher and most important a wonderful friend. I have so many fond memories of conversations with Jim over the last 41 years since he was my first supervisor at the refinery. He graciously hosted a wonderful party for my wife and I when we got engaged. He is missed by all who knew him.
I have so many fond memories of Jim and am very saddened to hear of his passing. Jim was one of my very dearest friends in Texas when my son and I moved there for me to work at Amoco’s refinery. We did not have family there and Jim was so generous and fun to be around. He took me to lunch frequently and was a great listener and mentor. I was one of many younger professionals that would come sit in his office and discuss challenges with him. Jim also tutored my son (Lee) in high school math and made a great difference. Jim is someone that I will always count as a person that made a substantial difference in my life and I was blessed to know him. Charlotte, I remember you well. Your dad was so proud of you. I am happy to hear that he experienced the joy of grandchildren. I’m praying for all of you.
What a Guy! Kind at heart with a knack for getting to the unvarnished root of an issue. Thoughtful. You could see the wheels turning as he paused to give an answer. Generous with well thought-out advice and candid observations and of course, with his homemade oatmeal cookies. We appreciated the good example he set in willingly giving back to his community with many years of volunteer service to his neighborhood. Humorous and an optimist. In his last week he said he he thought duct tape should fix him up just fine. Three doors down and fondly remembered.
What I remember most about Jim was that he made you think. Woe unto you if you walked into his office with some half-baked, lame-brained, or biased thought! His wisdom and his sayings (“the Rossisms”) are still with me today. “Why?” – one of his favorites. I never did get over breaking into a cold sweat whenever I went into his office to ask him a question! I regret my career took me away from working with him – but at the same time I’m thankful others who came after me had the benefit of knowing him too.