Leonard G. Ross

   Leonard G. Ross, 96, of Sioux City, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at his home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022, at St. Boniface Catholic Church. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Leonard’s vigil will be live streamed at the following link: https://youtu.be/k4WiC5JQDSI

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at the following link: https://youtu.be/lC4Ex5YPBi8

   Leonard was born on January 27, 1926 in Rossford, Ohio, to Jesse and Ruth (Caswell) Ross. He attended Swanton High School in Swanton, Ohio, and then went on to join the Army Air Force where he served for two years as a Tail Gunner on a B-24 Bomber.

   Following his tour overseas, Leonard returned to the Sioux City area and began training as a crewmember in a B-29. He trained at multiple bases until he was discharged in 1946. He then went on to attend Spartan School of Aeronautics for six months while obtaining his private, commercial and flight instructor certificates. On March 8, 1947 he married Margaret Johnson in Sioux City. The two shared 55 years of marriage before Margaret passed away in 2002.

   Leonard and his father purchased an airport in Montpelier, Ohio, where he instructed students, and flew charter flights and did airshows. He then went on to fly as a cropduster in Mississippi until he crashed into a cotton house and broke his nose. The next week, he crashed into a tree, thus ending his career as a cropduster.

   Upon moving back to Sioux City, Leonard worked at Graham Field as a chief flight instructor and examiner for private and commercial licenses. In 1958, he began flying for Ozark Airlines as a co-pilot on a DC-3. After six months, he returned to Sioux City and resumed working for Graham’s. In 1960, he started the flight department for Wilson Trailer Company in Sioux City, where he continued to fly for the company until he retired at age 80. On September 24, 2009 Leonard was presented The Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award by the Federal Aviation Administration, for over fifty years of dedicated service in Aviation Safety. Beginning in 1961, he started buying apartment houses in Sioux City, which he managed and maintained for several years, eventually totaling over 100 units in all.

   Leonard worked hard for his family. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, hunting, dancing and traveling; he especially enjoyed going to Branson. Later in life, he owned a craft shop and hobby shop in Sioux City. Leonard loved being around his family.

   Survivors include his children: Kaye Wigton (Tim); Marcy Bunkers; Tim Ross (Pam); Candy Ross; Pat Ross (Vonnie); and Kelly Ross (Kathy); daughter-in-law, Sally Jo Ross; brother, Doyle Ross; sisters: Yvonne Gilbert and Sylvia Fenton; dear friend, Wanda Thibodeau; 22 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; a son, Matt Ross; son-in-law, Bob Bunkers; and a brother, Bernard Ross.

   The family would like to extend thanks Hospice of Siouxland, who made Leonard’s transition smooth for all involved; as well as thanks to Rhonda’s Senior Support, especially Rhonda, Sandy, Bonnie, Chrissy, Judy, and Cheryl with Visiting Angels, who became wonderful friends of Leonard’s during the time they spent with him.