Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church

It is our sad duty to report that Reverend James Henry Ross, former pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church (1975-1997) has passed away at the age of 85.

Father Ross was born on February 9, 1922 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. All of those touched by his life will remember his ready smile and devotion to God.

Father Ross was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on December 21, 1946 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oklahoma City. He offered his first solemn Mass in Holy Name Church, Chickasha on December 27, 1946. Father Ross attended grade school and high school at St. Joseph Academy, Chickasha, Oklahoma. He completed his freshman year of college at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), Stillwater in 1940, and then transferred to St. Benedict’s College, Atchison, Kansas, graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in April 1943. In 1943, Father Ross entered Kendrick Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri and completed an accelerated four-year program in December 1946.

Following his ordination, Father Ross served the parish of Saint Peter Church, Woodward and its missions until he was assigned to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help where he also taught classes at John Carroll Grade School and High School from 1947 – 1950.

In 1950, Catholic High School (now Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School) was opened where Father Ross taught religion classes and was the first athletic director. During his teaching service, he also assisted at Christ the King Church, Oklahoma City. Father Ross always had a warm greeting for his many students and always called them by name.

During 1953, Father Ross served Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Cushing and Saint Mary Parish, Drumright. Both parishes are now in the Diocese of Tulsa.

Father Ross also served Saint Patrick Church, Walters and Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel, Waurika (1953 – 1955); Saint John Nepomuk Church, Yukon (1955 – 1958). In 1958, Father Ross was called to help establish the new parish of Saint Eugene, Oklahoma City where he served as pastor until 1967. Father Ross was pastor of Saint Barbara Church, Lawton (now Holy Family Church) from 1967 – 1975 and Saints Peter and Paul, Kingfisher from 1975 until his retirement in June 1997.

During his tenure at Saints Peter and Paul, Father Ross poured his energy into support of the parish school, many times returning much of his paycheck to the church for use at the school. He often utilized his hobby of photography at the parish, recording events such as First Communions, recitals and 8th grade graduations. Father Ross loved the children of the parish, and was greeted enthusiastically by the students every time he visited the playground, always ready to share a hug or word of encouragement.

Father Ross also served as Diocesan Moderator of the National Council of Catholic Women for many years (1955 – 1973).

Father Ross was one of four sons and three daughters of Henry Clay and Marie Angela Decker Ross, both of whom pre-deceased him. Brother, Joseph Roy and his wife Mary; sister, Mary Ann Doak and her husband John Doak; sister-in-law, JoAnn Ross; and brother-in-law, Elmer Volzer also pre-deceased Father Ross. Father Ross is survived by brothers, Walter L. Ross; Father William Ross, El Reno; sisters, Janet Marie Ross Volzer, Albuquerque, N.M. and Helen J. Ross Von Feldt; and brother-in-law, Wayne, Philadelphia, PA. Father Ross is also survived by many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Catholic Pastoral Center Chapel on Fri., Sept. 28, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery (formerly known as the Catholic Cemetery), 10th Street and Alabama Avenue, Chickasha, Oklahoma. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May, Okla. City. In lieu of flowers, the family and friends of Father Ross request that memorials be made to the Catholic Foundation of Okla., Inc. for the benefit of Saints Peter and Paul School, Kingfisher or Saint Katharine Drexel Retirement Center, El Reno.

(The comments section will be left open for those wishing to leave messages or share memories of Father Ross)

Filed under: Church on September 26th, 2007