Obituary of Byron R. Ross

Byron R. Ross, 81 of Iowa City, died Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at his home following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23, 2010, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Byron R. Ross Award for Teaching Excellence through the University of Iowa Foundation. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Byron was born September 12, 1928, near Quitman, MO the son of Oppie H. and Lois F. (Nicholas) Ross. He graduated from Braddyville (IA) High School in 1946. He enlisted in the United States Army, serving three years with engineers stationed in Japan, China, and Guam, Manus Island, Guadalcanal and Okinawa. Following this he enrolled and later graduated from Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in Maryville, MO. He attended graduate school at the University of Iowa College of Business. It was here that he met Rosamond Joy Mills and the couple was married in 1954. A summer position with McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn & Company (now RSM McGladrey) turned into a 31 year career after passing his CPA exam. Retiring in 1984 from McGladrey, he reentered the University of Iowa Graduate Program and until the year of 2000 was active in teaching within the College of Business. Byron prided himself with his independence, especially following the death of his wife, Rose in 2004. He maintained living in his home with the assistance of the Visiting Nurses, his granddaughter, Elizabeth Ross, and numerous friends from in town. His family includes three sons and his ‘favorite daughters-in-law”, Dr. Kelly D. Ross and Glenda Klimesh Ross of Osage, IA, Scott A. Ross and Roberta Swanson Ross of Monument, CO, and Mitchell W. Ross and Gina Delfin Ross of Pasadena, MD; eight grandchildren, Dr. Benjamin (Stephanie Shaw) Ross, Elisabeth Ross, Rebecca Ross (Jonathon Thornton), Kaleb, Jacqueline, Adam, Marcus, and Michael Ross; brother, Paul (Barbara) Ross from Clarinda, IA. Byron was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Rose; brother, William Ross, and sister, Beulah Ross. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Byron’s family and his services.