Archie J Ross' Obituary
Archie J. Ross, 92, of Sedalia, MO, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at EW Thompson Retirement Center. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM at Burns Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Sedalia. Visitation will be held from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Tuesday at the church. Interment will be at Higginsville Veterans Cemetery with military honors. Services will be livestreamed at 9:00 AM at https://www.facebook.com/htmayfuneralhome.
Archie "Babo" Ross took flight with the angels on July 7, 2025, at E.W. Thompson Nursing Home. Ross was born in Sturgis, Kentucky, to R.D. and Lucy Richards Ross, moving to Evansville, Indiana, with his mom and brother, where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1952. After graduating, he went into the Air Force in 1952, where he served 22 years as a crew chief on the B-47. He retired from Whiteman Air Force Base in 1974 as a Tech Sergeant and moved to Sedalia, Missouri, and worked for the Sedalia Fire Department, Alexander-May Funeral Home, and the Boys and Girls Club. On March 13, 1993, he married the love of his life, Alice Ruffin, in Sedalia, Missouri.
Ross was preceded in death by both parents and his brother, Robert "Sonny" Ross.
He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife, Alice; two daughters, Denise Perry and Victoria Ross, both of Tampa, Florida; two stepchildren, Charles "Chuck" Ruffin and Takeia Williams-Harris (Andre) of San Antonio, Texas. He also leaves grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as niece Barbara Good of Newark, Ohio; nephew Keith Ross of Cleveland, Ohio; sisters-in-law Katherleen Newbill and Marchita Jackson, both of Sedalia, Missouri; Theann McKinney of Blue Springs, Missouri; best friend and classmate James "Starchy" Anderson of Evansville, Indiana; cousins and close friends, Raymond Taylor, Jerry Ford, Thomas May; and best buddy, Gavin Neth.
He belonged to Rising Sun Masonic Lodge in Columbia, Missouri, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1993. Ross found pleasure in serving others—it was a labor of love—cutting lawns, taking people to the airport. He was a special kind of caregiver; he never met a stranger.
Goodbye my love,
Sweet dreams until we meet again.
Our favorite saying:
"It is what it is."
- Alice
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
To the man who treated me as his own daughter from day one. Thank you for everything. I couldn't ask for a better father.
I love you always,
Keia
Brother-in-law, you were more than family—a friend, confidante, a part of me—and when you left, you left a void that can never be filled or avoided. But though we grieve and our hearts may break, we'll hold on tight to the memories we'll make. For in your life, you touched so many hearts and left a legacy that forever imparts.
So farewell, dear bro-in-law, my friend, for in my heart, you'll never end.
Love you, bro,
Kat Newbill
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