Obituary of Marvin Ross

Marvin ROSS, age 87, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, died peacefully at home at 1 a.m. Monday, October 26, 2009. Marvin was born in Barnsdall, Oklahoma on January 30, 1922, the son of Robert Wilson and Florence (Watson) Ross. Marvin graduated in the class of 1941 from Barnsdall High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1948 and his Master of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1955. He served his country in three branches of the military. He joined the Marine Reserves while at Central State College in Edmund, OK playing football. His earlier work as a �jumper� for REA (rural electrification project to bring electricity for farmers) gave him the choice, when Pearl Harbor was bombed, instead of active duty in Marines, to join the Seabees 103rd Naval Construction Battalion as an electricians mate 3rd class from 1943 until 1946 in the Asiatic-Pacific area. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves called to active duty from 1950 until 1951 with Company B 180 of the 45th Division Infantry (Thunderbirds) in charge of the 2nd rifle company platoon of 40 men stationed at Camp Polk, Lousiana. Marvin taught with the Tulsa Oklahoma School System from 1949 until 1965. While in Tulsa he was the head swim coach at Tulsa Edison High School for seven years. The team earned four straight state swimming championships earning Marvin a place in the school's Hall of Fame. He also trained and developed thirteen All-American Swimmers. He taught at the State University at New Paltz, New York where he was head coach for swimming, cross country and baseball. Marvin was an emeritus faculty member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he taught in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department from 1965 until he retired in 1989. During his fifth year as varsity swimming coach, the Warhawks posted a 10-5 season record and finished 2nd in the NAIA Conference meet. On October 22, 1995, Marvin married Patricia Ann Pell Shibles in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Marvin was a member of the Oklahoma American Legion Post #0227, the Rock Valley Chordhawks Barbershop Group, SPEBSQSA, AARP and WEA. Surviving are: Wife: Patricia Ann Ross, Whitewater, WI; Three Sons: Dale Wilson Ross, Tulsa, OK, Carl Joseph (Sherry) Ross, Tulsa, OK, and James Allen Ross, Tulsa, OK; Sister: Joyce (Bill) Butcher, Montrose, CO; Sister-in-Law: Iwannah Ross, Ardmore, OK; Grandchildren: Joshua, Sarah, Ruth Anna and Kathrine Margaret Ross; John Harlan and Samuel Adams Ross, all of Tulsa, OK. Marvin�s family also includes Step-children Garth (Shamala) Shibles, Singapore, Eric Shibles, Oshkosh, WI, and Kirsten (Anthony) DiGiovanni, Smithtown, NY, and Step-Grandchildren: Erika and Anthony; and a Dear Friend: Ruth Nicholson, Fort Atkinson, WI. Marvin was preceded in death by his beloved parents, an infant son Robert Whalen Ross and his brother Howard Ross of Ardmore, OK. Inurnment will take place in the Ethel Reese Cemetery in Barnsdall, Oklahoma on Big Heart Day 2010. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 262-472-9118, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com is assisting the family. The family is most appreciative of the support and love given by so many kind workers, family and friends. Memorials may be made, if desired to Rainbow Hospice Care, Inc., 920-674-6255, 147 West Rockwell, Jefferson, WI 53549. �Shall we gather at the river��