Thomas Edward Ross

Thomas Edward Ross was born in Detroit, Michigan to Mary Elinor Flynn Ross and John Byrne Ross. He was the fourth of their six children. He was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and Greenwich, Connecticut and graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1969. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after his high school graduation and served the Navy directly and indirectly until his death.

In the Navy he served on a number of different ships, during the Vietnam War, in Korea, and in the Middle East. He was highly trained in electronics and communications, resulting in promotions and critical assignments throughout the world. He retired in 1991 as a Lieutenant Commander. He was such an integral part of the Navy's electronic intelligence team that immediately after his retirement he was retained by former military associates to join a defense subcontracting firm to continue his important work around the world. He received numerous commendations recognizing his substantial contributions to U.S. defense. He was still working in that capacity at the time of his death.

While Tom never married, he had a large family that was very important to him. His brother John, who died in 1996, his four sisters, in-laws, numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews were a central focus for him throughout his life. He was a fixture at family gatherings, showing up, often early, with food and wine. At Christmas, he showered his family with often extravagant gifts. Tom shared his love of travel with his sisters, traveling with them or arranging for their travel around the world. When his health began to fail in the last months of his life, he relied on his sisters for advice and support.

His mother, father, and brother predeceased him, as well as his sister-in-law Rita Quinn and his brother-in-law John Osborn. He is survived by his sisters Mary Osborn (Bob Dalton), Susan Ross (Bill George), Kathleen Larkin (Jim), and Sarah Davis, his nieces and goddaughters Eileen Axibal and Elizabeth Davis, nephews Matt, Mark, Brian, Kevin, Greg, niece Kate, and his fifteen grand nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial Mass at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2626 E. Seventh Avenue Parkway, Denver on Monday, October 29 at 4 p.m. At his request, he will be buried at sea.

Contributions in Tom's name may be made to TAPS (TAPS.org) and Operation Honor Guard (operationhonorguard.us)

Funeral Mass: October 29, 2018 4:00 pm

Good Shepherd Catholic Church
2626 E. 7th Avenue Parkway
Denver, CO