Charles Ross

Thomas Charles "Charlie" Ross, 83, of Jackson died Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center because of a progressive illness.

He was born May 22, 1930, to Mary Dora and Thomas Dewey Ross. Charlie had a sister and a brother. He married the love of his life, Mary LaVern Mirly, on Sept. 29, 1950, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Walt, Eddie and Cindy. He and LaVern also helped raise LaVern's youngest sister, Carolyn, who was like a daughter to him.

Charlie was a graduate of Jackson High School. He was a furniture salesman most of his career and in 1979 opened Ross Furniture with his son, Eddie, as his partner. The two later opened a second retail location in Perryville, Mo. After his retirement in 1994, Charlie watched with great pride as the business he helped start flourished.

He was an Army veteran of the Korean War.

Charlie was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and liked to hunt and fish. He enjoyed getting together with his coffee buddies almost every morning, and he had a keen interest in politics, often helping local candidates with all manner of grassroots support.

A true family man, the most important thing in his life was his family. He was so very proud of his children and rarely missed an event in which they participated. This pattern continued with his grandchildren, from basketball and wrestling to choir concerts and recitals, Grandpa Charlie was at every activity ... without fail. He was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 62 years; a son, C. Eddie (Brenda) Ross of Jackson; a daughter, Cindy (Billy) Gage of Cape Girardeau; honorary daughter, Carolyn (Larry) Huter of Jackson; a daughter-in-law, Janie Ross; six grandchildren, Claire, Chris, Aaron, Adam, Ross and Lucy; two honorary grandchildren, Jason and David; five great-grandchildren, Isaac, Jacob, Jonas, Ian and Otis; and a sister, Mary Marie Ross Claye.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a most beloved son, Walt; and a brother, James Edward Ross.

Friends and family may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Paul Lutheran School, Trinity Lutheran School, or Saxony Lutheran High School.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at mccombsfuneralhome.com.