James Stanford Ross Sr.'s Obituary
James Stanford Ross Sr., a devoted husband and father, an inspirational educator, and beloved friend, went to be with the Lord on July 24, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Born on October 20, 1943 in Anderson, Texas, he was the second of four children born to J.B. Ross and Eula Mae Colbert-Ross. At the age of six, his family moved from Texas to Oakland, California, where he spent his formative years. He graduated from San Jose State University, earning a B.S. degree in Physical Education and a minor in History. He later earned a Master’s in Education and an Administrative Services Credential.
After graduating from college, James played professional football for the Norfolk-Neptunes in Norfolk, VA in 1966. He also played for the San Francisco 49er’s and the Denver Broncos. After his professional athletic career, he went into coaching, becoming the first African-American coach at Merritt Jr. College in Oakland, CA. His coaching career later took him to Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. It was here that he met the love of his life, LaRuth Cleveland-Ross, whom he later married and received the blessing of two children with, Adrian Ross and Chaniqua Ross-Butscher. From a previous marriage, he had two sons, Kevin Ross Sr. (deceased), James Ross Jr. (deceased) and a daughter, Iranell Ross-Adams.
An ambitious man, James moved back to California to transition to a career in education. He became a teacher and later an administrator at public schools and districts throughout Northern California; Silver Creek High School in San Jose, Novato High School in Novato, Encinal High School in Alameda, and Mt. Pleasant, Elk Grove, and Sacramento school districts. With an eye on the easy life for his senior years, he retired from California schools in 2000 and moved to Texas where he worked as a teacher in the Channelview and Aldine Unified School districts until he retired in 2010. He touched many lives through his outstanding work in education.
A devout Christian, he was a member at a number of churches over the course of his life, including St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Sacramento, CA, and St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Humble, TX. A consummate public servant, he served as a volunteer coach to many youth in the greater Sacramento area. He was a lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Eta Sigma Lambda Chapter, in San Jose, CA.
James was a role model of courage and determination. He lived his life with a joyful spirit that touched all who knew him. Celebrating his life are his loving wife of 49 years, LaRuth Ross, his son, Adrian Ross of Houston, TX, his daughters, Chaniqua Ross-Butscher (Zebediah) of Oakland, CA, Iranell Ross-Adams of Oakland, CA, three sisters, two brothers, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and dear friends.
A homegoing celebration for James will be held Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 10am, at Destiny Christian Fellowship, 42326 Albrae St, Fremont, CA. Masks are required. The internment will follow at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, 4100 Hilltop Drive, Richmond, CA.
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