Kent Ross passed away on April 13, 2020, at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City, three days after celebrating his 95th birthday.
This memorial service is in honor of a man, who was a husband, a father, grandfather, a friend and a veteran. If you are here today, he was someone special to you.
Kent Neolin Ross was born on April 10, 1925, in the city of Ford, County of Ford, Kansas. He was the son of Steven Edward and Ruth Elma (Moss) Ross. Kent graduated from Satanta High School in 1943 and attended Fort Hays State University until he was drafted into the United States Army, in the summer of 1944. Kent proudly served with the 79th Division, 314th Infantry Regiment and the 1st Division, 18th Infantry Regiment in the European Theater of Operations. He served in combat during the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. He was assigned the duties of an escort guard during the Nuremberg Trials, where he stood guard in the proceedings. This young man had no idea that he was going to be part of history. Throughout the Nuremberg trials, he stood guard, informing quiet attitudes of the defendants with a modest tap on the shoulder with his billyclub. Kent became acquainted with some of the most notorious villains from Hitlers Third Reich. It was many ears later before he was able to tell friends and family about these experiences. Kent attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the following medals for his meritorious service: French Star, Good Conduct, European-African, Army Occupation, World War II Victory, Combat Infantry Badge, and French Fourragere (awarded to his unit for assisting France to regain their independence from Germany).
Kent was proud to serve his country and said that his service was a “real-life learning time for him”.
Only July 3, 1972, Kent N. Ross married Marie Harrison Kimler at Ft. Dodge, Kansas. The couple celebrated 48 years of married life, during which he represented the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs, for 25 years, retiring in 1995. As an active member of the Dodge City Community, Kent was a member of the First Christian Church, the VFW Post 1714 and the American Legion Post 47. In 2018 Kent was the recipient of a “Quilt of Valor”, which was presented during a ceremony at Ft. Dodge.
Kent is survived by his wife, Marie; their children, Donna Chapman, Dodge City, Brenda Scott and husband Larry, Pinehurst, North Carolina, David L. Ross and wife Becky, Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Sue Franks and husband Alan, Alexandria, Virginia and Lonnie Kimler and wife Carol, Caledonia, Minnesota; 5 grandchildren: Tiffany Day and husband Justin, Ryan Ross and wife Rachel, Branda Kimler-Gutierrez, Clint Rexford and wife Courtney, Dylan Dunnan and wife Cecilia; 17 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Lane Kimler; a brother, Lyle “Bud” Ross; and a sister, Lois Anthony.
If you knew Kent, you have memories of his easy laugh, and genuine interest in your life.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 am Monday, June 7, 2021 at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Dodge, with Jeff Hiers officiating and military honors by American Legion District 8 and Military Honors for the Sate of Kansas. Friends may sign the register from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday, June 4, 2021 at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.
The family suggests memorials to V.F.W. Post 1714 in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.