Jimmy Douglas Ross

General Jimmy Douglas Ross, 75, passed away in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange, 1201 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, Fla., 32127. (386) 761-1100. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Funeral services will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. General Ross was a distinguished officer in the military reaching the rank of 4-Star General, United States Army. Following his illustrious 36 year military career, General Ross continued his service to the Nation as the Senior Vice President (SVP) for the American Red Cross from 1994 to 1999. In that capacity he was instrumental in ensuring the safety of the Red Cross blood supply. General Ross then served in key leadership positions in the private sector to include President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Cypress International. General Ross was born on May 23 1936 in Hosston, La. Upon completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1958, he was also commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Central Michigan University (CMU). His military education includes the Basic Officer Course at the United States Army Infantry School, the Transportation Advanced Officer Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). His initial company grade assignments were with the Infantry and Transportation Corps units at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Thailand; Fort Eustis, Va.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Fort Bragg, N.C. In 1964 – 1965, General Ross served in Vietnam as an Infantry Battalion Advisor in the PBT Special Zone, III Corps. From 1967 to 1969, he was assigned as a JTF-11 Staff Officer, United States Strike Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. In 1969, General Ross returned to Vietnam. During his second combat tour, he served as the S4 and later the S2/3 in the 101st Airborne Division Support Command; and then commanded the 10th Transportation Battalion at Cam Ranh Bay. Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (DCSLOG) at Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA), in the Financial Resources and the Materiel Acquisition Directorates. He served as the Assistant Director of the Army Staff in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Army, from 1973 to 1974. General Ross's next assignment was as the Deputy Comptroller of Oakland Army Base, Calif., and later as the Commander of the Military Ocean Terminal, Bay Area. In 1978, General Ross transferred to Germany, where he commanded the 4th Transportation Brigade and 2nd Support Command, VII Corps. He returned to the Office of the DCSLOG, as the Director for Transportation, Energy and Troop Support from 1982 to 1984. He served as the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), from 1984 to 1986 and the Commanding General (CG) of the U.S. Army Depot System Command, from 1986 to 1987. In June 1987, he was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, U.S. Army, where he served for four and a half years. General Ross returned to AMC as CG from February 1992 to February 1994. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster). He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. General Ross retired from the Army in 1994. General Ross was an avid marathon runner, frequenting New York, Boston and the Marine Corps marathon. Throughout his military and post military careers, General and Mrs. Ross traveled the world to include destinations such as Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Portugal, Israel, Egypt, Australia, China, and others. General Ross is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Ross, of 56 years; three children, Sabra Ross, DiAnna (Danny) Henson, and Tony (Cyndee) Ross and, six grandchildren, Katie Kelley, Michael Cripps, Sherry Long, Russell Henson, Savannah and Sarah Ross; two great-grandchildren, Bailey and Colin Kelley and one brother, Bob Ross. Arrangements under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange, 1201 Dunlawton Ave. Port Orange, Fla. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com.