J Ross Closs

J. Ross Closs March 9, 1926 - January 28, 2009 J. Ross Closs, 82, of Waco passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Chris Mesa and Dr. Milton Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. J.R. was born March 9, 1926, in Edge, Texas, to William and Lillian Closs. Following graduation from Bryan High School where he was a star athlete, J.R. served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. in the Fleet Marine Force on board the aircraft carrier Yorktown, CV10, during World War II. During the war he received 5 battle stars participating in naval action in the Philippine islands, Formosa, French Indo China, the Ryukyo Islands, Japan and participated in the occupation of Japan. He received a football scholarship to Baylor University where he earned his BBA in 1950, and was a three year letterman on Baylor's 1947-1949 football team. In 1949 he was named an All Southwest Conference defensive end by the Dallas Morning News. He remained a loyal alumni serving the Baylor Letterman's Association. J.R. and Dorothy Austin married in 1950 at Austin Avenue Methodist Church where he was a faithful member serving on numerous boards during their 58 years of marriage. He was the co-founder and owner of Austin Closs, Co. since 1952. He served on the Board of Directors of Westview National Bank and First Federal Savings and Loan. J.R. leaves a legacy of dedicated service to Waco and its residents. He served on the Waco City Council and as Mayor during the 1970s. He was a member of the City Plan Commission, President of the Better Business Bureau, President of Heart of Texas Council of Governments, and President of the Waco Chamber of Commerce, a long time member of the Downtown Waco Rotary Club, and a Scottish Rite Mason. J.R. was a lifelong cowman, avid hunter and outdoorsman. As his good friend Harry Provence said J.R. "gloried in the outdoors and the scenery of the Texas Hill Country and all that went with it." J.R. relished trips to the Deer Lease and the opportunity to spend time with friends. His storytelling and embellishment of life through recounting them will be missed. He was a true Texas gentleman. His golf foursome of J.D. Hudson, David Smith and Bill Cathey formed in 1965 and remained active through the 1990's. Gene Shields said while not the best golfers they had the most fun and stayed together longer than any group then playing. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Austin Closs; daughter, Susan Duncan and husband, Malcolm, Jr., of Waco; and his son, J. Austin Closs, and wife, Melissa, of Waco; and daughter, Cindy Coutroubis of Dyer, Indiana; grandchildren, Laura Duncan, Frances King and husband, Tripp, J. Closs, Don Closs, and Elizabeth Coutroubis; a brother, Bill Tom Closs and his wife, Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are J. Closs, Don Closs, Tripp King, Charles Witt, Larry McFarland and John Duncan. Honorary pallbearers are J.D. Hudson, Jr., David Smith, Milton Cunningham, Lyle Blackwood, Wilton Lanning, Nick Klaras, Sam Pack and Gale Galloway. Athlete, wartime marine, entrepreneur, civic leader, cowboy, hunter, outdoorsman, and most importantly a loyal friend, loving husband, father and grandfather who was loved and admired by his family and all who had the opportunity to know him. He died as he lived, a Christian. He will be greatly missed. Memorials may be made to Austin Avenue United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.