Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

WOOSTER – Ross Leroy Barnes, 93, passed away on Saturday December 19 at the Avenue of Wooster.
He was born April 15, 1927 in Loudonville, OH to Roy E. (Sam) and Zella Lois (Stull) Barnes. He had a sister, Vivian Baldridge and brother, Carroll, both deceased.
A proud US Navy WWII veteran married (Sara A. Barnes (recently deceased November 13, 2020) and had 2 children, son David Ross Barnes and daughter Barbara Helen Barnes, both of Wooster and later a granddaughter David ™s daughter Kelly Jo Barnes (Chicago, IL). During this time he worked for the Columbia Gas Co., sold cars, owned the Shell Gas Station on South Market street, and in ~1960 started his own business, Ross Tire Sales, selling tires wholesale throughout the surrounding counties.   In 1963 he opened his first retail location on Cleveland Road in Wooster.
He remarried and was later married for 15 happy years to Julia M. Barnes (recently deceased March 9, 2020).   During this time he enthusiastically helped raise five stepsons, Doug (Donetta) of Colorado, Kirk, Dean, Dan (Peggy) of Wooster and Keith œTeke  Baker (deceased) all of whom he dearly loved.
His last and best love was Phyllis Barnes (recently deceased December 22, 2020) to whom he had been married for over 30 years. Ross loved Phyllis ™ three daughters like his own, Cheryl (Mike) Stitzlein of Wooster, Christine (Philip) Conduff of Mt. Dora, FL, and Jeanette (Dana) Jackson of Leesburg, FL. They and their children have fond memories of œGrandpa  Ross and appreciate the supportive role he played in their family ™s lives.
Together, he and Phyllis owned several businesses, most notably for him was Ross Tire & Auto Sales on Cleveland Road in Wooster, where it thrived until his retirement in 2014 at the age of 87! Ross would entertain all with the harmonica, giving small children in the tire shop 25 cents to name that tune! He never missed playing œHappy Birthday To You  on our birthdays. He was active in the Madisonburg Evening Lion ™s club (always striving to sell the most roses each year).   He and Phyllis looked forward each winter to traveling back and forth across the country in their motor home visiting old friends and relatives.
Ross was a kind and gentle man and the eternal optimist. Whenever he was asked œHow are you doing, Ross? , his reply was always to sing œWonderful…marvelous! 
He will be missed by many and his legacy will live on in all our hearts and those he touched with his loving, generous and kind spirit.
Private graveside services were held at Wooster Cemetery on Saturday, December 26, 2020 with Fr. Stephen Moran officiating.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.

Memorial Contributions

Service
Private family services

Visitation
No calling hours

2 Comments

  1. Sorry for the loss of Uncle Ross. Whenever he played his harmonica he connected everyone in the room. Our daughter loved when he played it for her.

    He probably has a golden harmonica now.

    Reply
  2. Thaughts and prayers to all the family and friends
    So sorry for your loss.
    RIP My friend.

    Reply

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