Ralph P. Ross

Class of 1979

Ralph Parker Ross, Sr. was born in Nassawadox, VA, on July 10, 1919, and attended the University of Virginia before being called to duty with the U.S. Army in World War II. He married Hertha in 1943 and they had two sons, Thomas and Ralph, Jr., and two daughters, Kathryn and Marguerite.

After leaving the service, Ralph settled in Fayetteville where he lived for nearly 50 years. He founded Ross Empire State Brokers, Inc., a confectionery manufacturer’s representative firm where he worked until shortly before his death.

He was a longtime member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Fayetteville and enjoyed gardening, bridge and relaxing near the ocean on his annual vacations.

A voracious reader, he was fascinated by the nuances of the English language. At the least provocation, he would commence reading aloud from the unabridged dictionary as though it were a work of Shakespeare.

He had a wide circle of friends from all walks of life. He also was immensely fond of cultivating acquaintances with unique and somewhat eccentric people and did so with great success.

Ralph passed away April 3, 2005, following a brief battle with cancer.