Retired Captain Eugene Kenneth Ross of the Gainesville Police Department passed away Jan. 28, 2023.
Eugene was born on August 11, 1942, to Eugene Ross and Lottie Lee Williams Ross, in Waldo, Florida. He received his education in the Alachua County School System in Gainesville. He furthered his education at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville and the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida.
He accepted Christ as his Savior at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church at an early age and was later united with Mt. Canaan Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for many years.
Eugene Ross, Jr. married Essie Mae Wesley in Ocala, FL, July 5, 1982.
On December 11, 1962, Eugene enlisted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam as a member of the 82nd Airborne. He was honorably discharged on December 10, 1965.
He was employed by the City of Gainesville Police Department, retiring as a Captain and subsequently with the State of Florida as a Prison Inspector. He was a member of the Police Benevolent Association and the VFW.
Eugene enjoyed serving as communication and technical support for Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and he loved working outdoors and helping anyone in need.
On Saturday, January 28th Eugene Ross, Jr. went home to be with God and those that had gone on before him. He was preceded in death by both his parents, Eugene Ross and Lottie Lee Williams Ross; his beloved wife Essie Mae Wesley Ross; daughter Michelle Annett Ross; son, Harding P. Doby, 6 brothers, Simmie A. Williams, Rev. Lavon K. Ross, Flozelle Ross, Leon Ross, Horace Ross, and Anthony T. Ross, and brother-in-law, Clarence Wesley.
He leaves to cherish memories a companion, Lottie Jackson; two daughters, Sandra Martin (Avon) of Detroit MI and Gail Brown of Gainesville; four sisters, Glenda Ross of Waldo, Edwina Ross, Bernice Ross both of Gainesville and Dora Henderson of Waldo; two brothers Kenneth Ross (Tawanna) and Keith Ross both of Gainesville; seven sister in laws, Dandreinne Brown, Lula Williams, Alice Ross, Chenita Ross, Michelle Ross and Cheryle Ross and Gloria Wesley; brother in laws Curtis Williams, Reginald Williams (Carmen); 6 grandchildren, William Brown, Clinton Martin, Desmond Martin (Janay), Anthony Martin, Camera Martin and Justin Doby; three great grands, William Jr., Jaiden and Ziyonna; four godchildren and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 1:00 until 6:00PM at Summers Funeral Home, 2238 NW 10th Street, Ocala, Fl 34475.
Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, February 3, 2023, at 2:00pm at Good Shepherd Memorial Garden 5050 SW 20th Street. Ocala, Florida, 34474
In Lieu of flowers the family request that a donation be made to Mt. Cannan Missionary Baptist Church in Memory of Mr. Eugene Ross.