John Hotchin Ross

John was born on February 8, 1940, in Lansing, Michigan, to Donald and Margaret (Hotchin) Ross. John spent his early years in East Lansing, where he attended East Lansing High School. John was involved in many activities at ELHS and formed lifelong friendships with many of his classmates. After graduating from ELHS in 1958, John attended the University of Michigan where his studied Architecture.

After attending college, John returned to East Lansing where he married his wife Betty in 1961. While raising their family in East Lansing, John and Betty spent countless weekends with their closest friends Alan and Sherry Anderson, enjoying card games, playing golf, bowling, and attending Michigan State football games. John and Betty lived in East Lansing for over 40 years, raising their sons Alan and Michael, who would become third generation East Lansing High School graduates.

John spent most of his professional career at the Warren Holmes company, where he became a licensed Architect and Architectural Hardware Consultant. In the mid 1980’s, John joined two colleagues to start Fisher Ross Wiegand a design and contracting company.

John retired from FRW in the early 2000’s, when he and Betty moved to a new home in Canadian Lakes to begin their retirement together. Their time at the lake was cut short when Betty unexpectedly passed in 2005. John continued to live in Canadian lakes until 2020.

While at Canadian Lakes, John was active on the Canadian Lakes Architecture committee, and enjoyed playing golf and working behind the scenes on many theatrical productions by the Canadian Lakes Players. John loved to travel and spent many years during this time visiting far off places with his dear friend Shelia Nero.

It was in 2020, while quarantining for the Pandemic, that John’s health began to decline, and he returned to East Lansing. John spent the last few years of his life relaxing at Burcham Hills in East Lansing.

John was the loving husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” Ross; beloved father of Alan (Jacquie) Ross of East Lansing and Mike (Lora) Ross of Portage; cherished grandfather of Erica (Nate Berkebile) Ross of Marathon Florida, Alaina Ross of Okemos and Riley Ross of Big Rapids; and dear brother of Janet Manes of Aurora, Colorado.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 11:00a.m. with a service to follow at 11:30a.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E Grand River Avenue, East Lansing. Friends and Family are welcome to join us for a gathering at Noon at Reno’s East,1310 Abbot Road, East Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions in John’s name may consider the American Cancer Society, or Canadian Lakes Gifts and Memorials.