He was preceded in death by his parents; younger sister, Janet May; son, Randy Asher; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Bohanon. On Sept. 12, 1964, Ross married Doris Jean Bohanon. She survives at the home after 55 years of marriage. He is also survived by his son, Danny Asher (Darla Gwartney); daughter-in-law, Patty Asher; grandchildren, Bryan Asher (Debi), Kevin Asher (Megan), Megan Vanek (James), Jeff Asher (Alizabeth), Donald Gwartney (Ashley); a niece, Rhoda Damgaard; great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Desiree Groen (Rich), Cameron, Carson, Haylee, Jaden, Jillian, Jason, Braksten, Brooklyn, Ryan and Blake; a great-great-granddaughter, Gemma; brother-in-law, Jim Bohanon and sister-in-law, JoAnn Jira (Wince).
Ross was raised in Lansing, Kansas, and attended Lansing schools. Ross played high school basketball and was on the cheer squad. He was an active member of the Lansing Alumni Association (Class of 1949), of which he was the last of three active members. For the past 10 years, he was honored to present scholarships to deserving graduates at Lansing High School’s annual commencement awards banquets on behalf of the association.
In his teenage years, Ross worked at the Lansing Drug store as a soda jerk which must have inspired his secret recipe for home-made vanilla ice cream which he made on special occasions and always for Danny’s birthday.
After high school, Ross studied Accounting at the University of Kansas and through the Army National Guard was activated into the U.S. Army and served two years as Corporal in the Korean War. Ross worked for the Bureau of Prisons where he held positions at the Leavenworth Federal Prison (1952), Alcatraz (1956), Leavenworth (1961), Petersburg, Virginia (1975), McNeal Island (1979) and Englewood, Colorado (1980). He retired as Unit Manager from the Bureau of Prisons in 1981. Ross graduated in 1985 from Park College with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. He then continued his career in Corrections at the Kansas State Penitentiary as Unit Manager until his second retirement in 1994.
Ross’ passions were his family, friends and service to the community. He was an active member of Gideons International. He was also an active member of First Baptist Church, Leavenworth, serving as Financial Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, various board positions, and eight mission trips to various parts of the world. He was a 65-year member of the Abdallah Shriners and the Masonic Lodge and took exterior steps to Nine Mile Lodge #49 and Hancock Lodge #311, Fort Leavenworth. He was a 32° Mason and joined many other Masonic organizations including Ancient Toltec Rite, York Rite, Scottish Rite, White Shrine, Eastern Star (past patron twice), and High Twelve. He was a DeMolay Dad mentoring many young men both during his career and throughout life.
In his spare time, Ross enjoyed square dancing with Doris and friends, reading, bowling, playing Jokers, gardening, golfing, woodcarving and hanging out at the lake house. Ross was a great fisherman and enjoyed watching his grandsons catch catfish and perch off the dock.
Ross was a devout family man and friend to everyone he met. He will be remembered for his unwavering kindness and devotion to helping others.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, 340 N. 13th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas. Burial will follow at Mt. Muncie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Linn Valley Community Church, Linn Valley, Kansas or the Masonic Hancock Lodge #311, Fort Leavenworth.
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