James E. Ross
James Ross, 55, of North Platte, died Sunday while flying, the hobby he loved. The middle son of a career sailor, he graduated from Orange Park High School in 1975. He married his High School sweetheart, Heather, the following December and joined the United States Marine Corps, becoming a mortarman. Two years later he left the Marine Corps and enrolled at the University of North Florida, earning a Bachelor's in Computer Science. After college, he again felt the call to serve his country and rejoined the Marine Corps, this time as an officer. He applied for and was accepted to flight school, and then was transferred and became instead a Data Processing officer. He served with honor for the next twenty years across the country and around the world. During this time, he and Heather had two children, Daniel and Meagan. Though the Marine Corps kept him constantly on the go, he always made time for his children. He joined and actively participated in Boy Scouts with Daniel, and took the time to learn, and then coach, soccer for Meagan. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps in 1999, the family followed him one last time to North Platte. He put his long experience at managing computer systems and personnel to use when he joined the City of North Platte as its Director of Information Systems and Technology. He continued to make time for his family. He joined the Civil Air Patrol with Daniel when the local squadron was initiated. Placed in charge of the Cadet Programs for the squadron, he was instrumental in the development of the cadets' structure and discipline. He continued to support Meagan's love of soccer, coaching her for a few more years until he felt she had outgrown his knowledge of the game. Even then, he made it a point to attend all of her games through club and then high school soccer. Throughout his life, he was known to all as a tough but fair man, honest to a fault. Though few appreciated it at first, everybody knew where he stood on any subject they discussed, and all came to value it in time. He was a superb father, a dedicated husband, a loyal patriot, and a rock of strength for all who knew him. May God bless him and give him rest.