Jack Hugh Ross

August 21, 1928 – March 23, 2013

Jack Ross, of Windermere, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 23,2013, at the age of 84. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather.

Jack was a fifth generation West Orange County resident and great, great grandson of Judge James G. Speer, Oakland’s founder who was responsible for naming Orlando. Jack, like his famed ancestor, has been a lifelong

dedicated citizen of West Orange County.

He grew up in the Oakland Presbyterian Church where he offered his servant leadership as an Elder. Before graduating from Lakeview High School in 1946, he participated in the National Beta Club and on the football and

baseball teams. Jack graduated from the University of Florida with a BS degree in Agriculture and came back to the area to run the family citrus business.

As an adult he has served as president of the Orange County Farm Bureau and on the boards of the Florida Citrus Mutual, South Lake Apopka Citrus Growers Association, Growers Advisory Committee, and the Orange County

Planning and Zoning Committee. In 2010 he was recognized as a Winter Garden Heritage Foundation History Maker.

Jack was an avid supporter of the West Orange YMCA, Oakland Nature Preserve, Boy Scouts, Winter Garden Heritage Foundation and Oakland Presbyterian Church. Jack’s knowledge of people, places and events of West

Orange County has been invaluable in several history projects including the writing of Sundays in the South.

Jack was a passionate ham radio operator having earned his license K4NTD. He was a life member of the American Radio Relay League and enjoyed going to hamfests with other Amateur Radio enthusiasts. Jack worked two

meters regularly from his own repeater housed at his barn. Jack may now be a silent key but he will be remembered

as a kind friend to all.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Catherine Ross. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Pease Ross; daughter, Brenda (Stan) Smith and son, Jim (Jennifer) Ross; grandchildren, Ross, Will, Sara,

Alli, Delanie, Ansley and Brayden.

Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the Oakland Presbyterian Church (oaklandpres.org) and to the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation Building Campaign (wghf.org/capitalcampaign).

Services will be held at Oakland Presbyterian Church on Monday, March 25 at 2 pm. For more information and to sign the guestbook, http://www.collisoncareyhand.com.