Henry Fred Ross

Born: October 31, 1920    Died: June 8, 2020

Henry was a lifelong resident of the Portland area.  He was the firstborn son of Fred and Barbara Ross and brother to Virginia Ross Campbell.

Henry grew up in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood and attended Lewellen Grade School and Benson High School.  Following high school he worked as a machinist for Boeing in Seattle and then entered the Navy during WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Following his return home, Henry joined the Portland Fire Department and later retired after nearly 30 years of service.  He worked construction as a second job and was also a member of IOOF – the International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge.  Every year he would plant a garden, growing peas and some of the best tomatoes around.

Henry enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.  He and his wife of 72 years, Bonnie who he met at McElroy’s Ballroom in the late 40’s, would camp and fish at many of the Central Oregon high lakes with Wickiup Reservoir being one of their early favorites.  But their all-time favorite was Camp Sherman and the Metolius River; going annually for over 50 years with his kids and grandchildren.  The Smiling River camp area was where they always set-up.

Henry is survived by his wife Bonnie; 3 children, Mary, Dan, and Cathy; 11 grandchildren, Julie, Jacie, Sarah, Samantha, Savannah, Jessie, Christopher, Stefanie, Theo, Tawnee, and Tiffany; and 6 great-grandchildren.