Richard A. Ross

Richard A. Ross, 84, died Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces after a brief illness. He was a resident of the Village at Northrise in Las Cruces at the time of his death. Richard was born in Clayton, New Mexico on May 6, 1921 to Christopher and Minnie Ross. He grew up in the Clayton area working on local farms and ranches. He served in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He and his wife, Laura, lived in Midland, TX where he worked as a carpenter until moving to Alto, NM, near Ruidoso, in 1970. Richard continued working in building trades until his retirement. He built many homes in the Ruidoso area and was greatly admired for his fine craftsmanship. He enjoyed many happy years living in the mountains. He moved to Las Cruces in 2004. Never idle, even in retirement, he worked as a security monitor at the Village at Northrise. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Henry, Walter, and Clifford. He is survived by his wife, Laura, to whom he was married for nearly sixty years; his two daughters, Patsy and her husband, Don Combs of Las Cruces, and Brenda, and her husband, Dave Morrison, of Lakeview, AR; two grandchildren, Ross Combs and his wife, Erin Kerrigan, of Round Rock, TX and Kelly Combs of Las Cruces; three sisters, Pat Morgan and her husband, Bob, of Albuquerque, Margie Garner and her husband, Ralph, also of Albuquerque, and Clela Balenseifen of Guymon, OK; one brother, Joe, and his wife, Velma, of the Phillipines; and many nieces and nephews. Richard will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends. A memorial service has been scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 17, 2005 at the Village at Northrise (Hallmark Building). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Safe Haven Animal Shelter, 144 Wyatt Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88005. PDF Printable Version