Richard H. Ross, 80, of Titusville, Fla., formerly of Eau Claire, passed away early Tuesday morning of natural causes shortly after arrival at the Parrish Medical Center in Titusville.

Born near Sandy Lake, Mercer County, Nov. 26, 1928, he was the son of the late Frank M. Sr. and Elma Smith Ross.

He was a graduate of the former Eau Claire Academy, a high school.

Rich was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church of Eau Claire.

In his early years, he was a partner, along with his father and brothers, in the Ross Lumber Co. of Eau Claire. He later became the owner-operator of the R.H. Ross Trucking Co. based in Titusville, Fla.

A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in both the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation. He was a longtime member of VFW Post 7840 of Hilliards.

Richard still held his private pilot's license for single-engine aircraft at the time of his death.

Surviving are his wife, Shirley Jones Ross; one daughter, Diane Johnson and one son, David Ross, both of Titusville, Fla.; two stepsons, Jeffrey O'Neal of Bristol, Tenn., and Michael O'Neal of Hartsville, S.C.; one sister, Barbara Ross Seaton of Lake Jackson, Texas; and a number of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Dawn Ross, and two brothers, Frank M. Ross, Jr. and Clement Ross.

<B>ROSS</B>- A memorial service for Richard H. Ross, who died Tuesday, April 21, 2009, will be held later in Eau Claire.Local arrangements are by the <B>Buzard Funeral Home </B>in Eau Claire. Online condolences may be submitted at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.