Hugh Ross

Hugh P. Ross, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

Hugh was born May 25, 1925, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Walter and Marion (Pendleton) Ross. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended and graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy in 1943. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and served for three years. After his discharge, Hugh attended Drake University, graduating in 1950 with a BA in economics. He was married to Donella Cornelison on April 14, 1949, in Des Moines, Iowa. Hugh and Donella came to Atlantic in 1951 where Hugh worked as a salesman for Cornelison Motors. Hugh and Don Henningson bought the business and then operated Valley Motors. After a while, he decided to try his hand at the lampshade business and he purchased Beaudine Manufacturing where he operated the business until his retirement.

He was a past president of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, the JC's, Rotary, and the Atlantic Country Club. He was also a member of the Shriners, a Master Mason of the Atlantic Pymosa Lodge #271, Down Town Athletic Club, AMU Board, YMCA Board, Toastmasters and the United Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Don and Jennie Cornelison; sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn & Sam Preston; and brother-in-law, Fred Shellman.

Hugh is survived by his wife, Donella Ross of Atlantic, IA; daughters, Diann (Dick) McLaren of Atlantic, IA, Barbara (Lynn) Baier of Atlantic, IA, and Karen (Brent) Page of Iowa City, IA; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy Shellman of Tucson, AZ; brother, Bob (Pat) Ross of Cedarburg, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Hugh's life will take place on Saturday, January 3, 2015, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage House in Atlantic, IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Heritage House for medical equipment.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.