Former longtime Show Me Center director dies

David Ross, the former longtime director of the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, died Thursday from complications of a ruptured esophagus. He was 63.

Wil Gorman, who became director after Ross retired 2012, said the Ohio native held the role at least a year before the center opened in 1987. Gorman began working there in college and learned a great deal from Ross over the years.

"David was known as a very hard worker, a very loyal individual," Gorman said. "He mentored a lot of people, myself included."

In a 2009 Q&A article in the Southeast Missourian, Ross described his passion for the venue he ran for a quarter century.

"If you open a building and stay there (25) years, it becomes like one of your children," Ross was quoted as saying.

Some of the big names Ross landed for the Show Me Center included President Ronald Reagan; singer Tina Turner; the bands Aerosmith, Guns 'N Roses, Alabama and Def Leppard; country singers Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire and George Strait, and a host of others, including comedian Larry the Cable Guy and various sporting events.

One of those sporting events, a state volleyball tournament, just finished its fifth year, Gorman said.

In addition to many other civic activities, Ross served as president of the International Association of Assembly Managers.

A memorial service will being held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Church in Ivy, Virginia, according to Erin Ross' Facebook page. Ross' daughter said in her posting a service soon will be held in Cape Girardeau for anyone unable to attend in Virginia.

"Thank you, again, for all your love, prayers, friendship and support," she wrote in her message. "You have helped carry us in our time of great need."

ljones@semissourian.com

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