Donald “Popeye” Ross, 80, of Oxford, NY passed away on October 10, 2013 at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. He was born in Oxford on August 28, 1933 a son of the late Allen and Laura (Fuller) Ross. On July 3rd, 1957 he married Grace A. (Simson) Ross.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Grace; his children Timothy Ross (Mary Olmsted) of Oxford, and Peggy Sue Carhart (John) of Oxford; his brother Clifford “Chuck” Ross of Oxford; grandchildren Andrew and Nicole Head, Jennifer Brooks, Rebecca and Joe Barrows, all of Oxford; great grandchildren Andrea Head, Dylan Demuth, Jasemine Brooks, Alexa Barrows and James Landen Barrows; his sisters-in-law Jane Ross and Amy Ross.
He was predeceased by his brothers Albert “Bud” Ross, Gerald Ross, Jack Ross and Lynn “Pinky” Ross; his sisters Bernice “Happy” Baker and Mabel Harvey; as well as sisters-in-law Marie Ross and Marian Ross.
His family moved to Oxford from Pennsylvania, and his mother became the head cook at the WRC Home in Oxford, and his father was the assistant head cook. In 1955, Popeye graduated from Oxford Academy and Central School. He then served in the United States Army where he was a member of the 82nd Airborne. For 33 years he worked for the New York State Department of Transportation. He served in the Oxford Fire Department for many years, and was a member of the Baptist Church of Oxford and the Lake Ludlow Club. He loved to be outside, and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 14th at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main Street, Oxford, with Rich Howard officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Fire Department and Oxford Emergency Squad. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.