David E. Ross was born July 5, 1945 on Mercer Island, Wash. He passed away peacefully with Judie Ross at his side on Dec. 24, 2010 at University of Washington Hospital in Seattle. He developed Pulmonary Fibrosis several years ago and had a successful lung transplant on Oct. 6, 2010. Unfortunately, he was unable to win the fight against a virus.

Dave was an avid skier and traveled the world to enjoy the sport.  He was also a race car driver who won many awards. His love of boating and diving brought him to the San Juan Islands in the 1970s. He moved to San Juan Island in mid-1980s where he met and married his current partner, Judie Jarrell Ross, in 1988.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Douglas Graham, stepson Josh Ross, stepson and wife Travis and Michelle Jarrell, stepdaughter and partner Shri Jarrell and Tony Wilson, sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Stan Okazaki, stepbrother and partner Jim Ross and Kathy Ford, stepsister Kathy Pierre, sister-in-law Claudia Ross, brother-in-law and sister-in-law David Raikes and Carole Kreighbaum, grandchildren Olivia Graham and Jacob Jarrell, plus seven nieces and five nephews. He was preceded in death by stepbrother Gary Ross in 2003.

Dave Ross has been an officer and member of American Legion Post 163 in Friday Harbor, San Juan Golf & Country Club, San Juan Island Yacht Club, Friday Harbor Sailing Club and the San Juan Fairways No. 3 Owners Association. He was also a past member of the Pacific Cascade Mustang Club and the Lions Club.

Dave always said he did not want to leave this world with any regrets that he had not done the things he wanted to do. He lived up to his words. Although he would have liked to have done more of the things he loved, he did not leave anything unchecked on his list.

He will be missed, but never forgotten. If you knew him very well, you would know that he could be just as soft-hearted as he was stubborn. Good or bad, he was usually correct most of the time. Rest in peace, our beloved Dave.

Two celebrations of Dave’s life will be held in Friday Harbor: San Juan Island Yacht Club on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 5-7 p.m. with appetizers served. Then, a tribute and potluck will be held at noon on Sunday, Feb. 20 at the American Legion. Friends and public are welcome.

We have delayed the celebrations in honor of Dave’s son-in-law, Douglas Graham, who will return from Iraq to be present. 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please contribute to the Dave Ross Memorial Fund at Islanders Bank in Friday Harbor.

— Family of Dave Ross