Dan is survived by his wife, Betty, son Dan Jr (Tracie), Jerry Ivy, Darrell Ivy, and son William Clark, daughters Sandy (Jerry), Jessica (Cody Eichinger); Grandchildren Ryan, Aaron, Trevor, Becca, Chris Jr, Hanna Ross, Glenn Ivy, Shannon (Keith), Kyla, Kaden; Great-grandchildren Tanner, Logan, and Nixon. He is preceded in death by his parents William F Ross, Sylvia C (Kansas); siblings William, Anna, Richard, Hilma, Lillian, and James; son Christopher Franklin, and Grandson Garrett Dean.
Dan served during Vietnam in the U.S. Air Force October 16, 1963 to October 13, 1967 as an Administrative Specialist for four years and was discharged as a Tech Sergeant.
He enjoyed assisting Vets in getting the benefits they deserved after serving in the military. In 2009 Dan, an accredited Veterans Service Officer, established a VVA Veterans Service Office at the Tucson VA Medical Center where he has volunteered thousands of hours helping veterans.
A lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Dan served VVA Tucson Chapter 106, as Secretary, Vice President, President, and Chaplain over the past six years.
Dan's Arizona adventures have included directing the Exodus Program whose volunteers greet Fort Huachuca soldiers traversing Tucson International Airport, and helping to organize NamJam, the annual city-wide festival that brings together veterans of all ages and the entire community to educate, celebrate, and raise funds to assist veterans and their families.
He was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2022, one of the proudest moments in his life.
Dan is missed by his family and those who knew him best.
Love you dad, until we meet again
A visitation for Dan will be held Monday, July 15, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at Adair Dodge Chapel, 1050 N Dodge Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85716. A funeral service will occur Monday, July 15, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, 1050 N Dodge Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85716. A committal with military honors will occur Monday, July 15, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85706.
Dan will be laid to rest in South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706-2520.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dan's memory may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America Tucson Chapter 106, PO Box 40903, Tucson, Arizona 85717-0903 US, www.VVA106.org.
