This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Ross, Wheat, Collins, Barnhardt, Roe Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/7843 Message Board Post: Surname: Ross Given name: Claude Alec newspaper date: 6/4/2002 Type of Information: obit Requested by: lrawley@houston.rr.com The Bakersfield Californian, June 4, 2002 ~OBITUARIES~ Claude Alec Ross April 3, 1832 - June 1, 2002 Graveside funeral services under the direction of Arvin Funeral Home will be conducted on Wednesday, June 5, at 10 a.m. at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery for C. A. Ross, age 70, who passed away June 1 at home. Rev. Allen Palm of the First Assembly of God Church will officiate and interment will follow. Visitation will be held Tues., June 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Arvin Funeral chapel. C. A. was born April 3, 1932 in Blanchard, Oklahoma to Claude and Lillian Ross. He moved to Arvin as a young boy and attended Arvin elementary schools and graduated from Arvin High School. While at Arvin High School he was a star football player and also played on the basketball team. He married Wilma Dutton Oct. 14, 1953 in Arvin. In 1967 he opened Budget Furniture and after 28 years retired in 1995. He was a born storyteller and historian, being interviewed by both radio and newspapers regarding the history of the 'grapes of wrath' era, in the Arvin-Lamont area. The Dust Bowl Days and life at Sunset Labor Camp were his specialty. He was a humble man who never boasted, was always working and his kindness and generosity towards people was unsurpassed. He was the Patriarch of the family and everyone always looked up to him. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Wilma of Bakersfield; son, Steven Ray Ross of Bakersfield; daughters Sherri Wheat and Debra Collins, both of Bakersfield; brother, Kenneth Ross of Boron; sisters Helen Barnhardt of Bakersfield and Irene Roe of Boron; 2 grandchildren, Steven Alec Ross and Savannah Whitney Ross. He was preceded in death by brother, Gene K. Ross in 1968. Sharon Kern Co. Volunteer