Walter Eley Ross

Walter Eley Ross, Sr., was born in Biloxi on March 16, 1924 and passed on Sunday, April 14th in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph “Doffie” Ross and Margaret Allen Ross and his 11 siblings: brothers; Buster, Bill, J.B., Clyde, and sisters; Winona, Mena, Myrtle, Hattie, Euelda, Augustine, Madelyn. His beloved wife of 53 years, Yvonne Seymour Ross, his sons; Walter E. (Junie) Ross, Jr., and Robert E. Ross, and his grandson Christopher Ross. He is survived by four daughters; Sandra Giovanelli, Karen Anderson, Kim Ross Bush, Janell Ross and a son, Adolph “Doffie” Ross and wife Patty.Grandchildren; Walter E. Ross,III, Shawney Pace, Michael Morykwas, Brian Morykwas, Jeremy Morykwas, Bethany Ross, Courtney Bush and Gabriel Bush. His great grandchildren; Matthew, Cade, Kaleb, Jared, Christian, Rowan, Kier, Riley, Mattine and Miles. Captain Eley, as he was known, was a third generation fisherman and the Ross’ were one of Biloxi’s oldest and largest fishing families. The calling of the Ross family has always been that of commercial fishing, taking their livelihood from the Mississippi Sound, Louisiana marshes, and the Gulf of Mexico. From the age of 14, he was a life-long fisherman, working on family vessels, The Wild Cat, Mag-Doff, and Clyde R. He operated as captain the following vessels: Dorothy T., Peg Ross, Lathie W., Ethelyn R., and finally built his own boat, a 56”Biloxi lugger, the Junie-Doffie in 1965. During the 1947 Hurricane, his boat was cast high and dry among alligators and snakes at Main Pass. He told many stories about how he survived before he was rescued 5 days later when a channel had to be dug to set the vessel free. The Junie Doffie was always a prominent figure at the Blessing of the Fleet, where it was a family traditiion for the eldest child to come up with the theme for that year’s decorations. It was a favorite time for the family and the friends who shared in the festivities. He reigned as King of the Biloxi Shrimp Festival in 1986. From 1944 – 1946, he served in the Air Army near the end of World War II. He had gone to Keesler Field to sign up for the crash boat crew but was told that crew had deployed days earlier, so he was trained as a ball turret gunner on a B17. He served in the European Theatre and was stationed in England and Iceland. He was awarded two bronze stars and a WWII Victory Medal. While he was dedicated to serving his country he anticipated his return to Biloxi and a career of shrimping. He was an advocate for the local fisherman and served as President of the Gulf Coast Fisherman’s Organization. He was appointed by Governor Kirk Fordice to serve as a Commissioner at the Department of Marine Resources. He also helped to teach the Vietnamese fisherman the ways of the water as the immigrants made their way in a new homeland. He was always quick and willing to respond to a fellow fisherman in distress or in need. He rescued a group of stranded fisherman in Louisiana and got them home in time for Christmas and his family fondly remembers that fisherman who showed up at his home on Christmas Eve with gifts of appreciation. In 1983 he again rescued a man and his two children from the “Stardust” which was enflamed in fire east of Ship Island. In 1969 after Hurricane Camille had virtually destroyed his Biloxi home, he was called upon by the U.S. Coast Guard to go out and help with directing traffic in the Gulf as so many markers had been destroyed. Even though his home was nearly completely destroyed, his call of duty to help was strong and he assisted to guide supply vessels. He was a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his church, St. Michaels, his wife, his children, shrimping and dancing. He will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched and comforted. His family would like to thank the Doctors, nurses and staff at the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Hospital and Hospice Facility for the tender loving care they bestowed upon him and his entire family. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations can be made to St. Michaels Church, PO Box 523, Biloxi, 39533. His life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial from St Michael Church in Biloxi, on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Visitation will be from 11:30 am – 1:30pm with mass at 1:30 pm. Interment following at Southern Memorial Park. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.