John Claude Ross Jr.

September 3rd, 1962 - June 5th, 2026

John Claude Ross Jr, 63, passed peacefully to be with the Lord, June 5, 2026, surrounded by his wife and loved ones. John Jr. was born to John Sr and Thelma Elizabeth Ross on September 3, 1962, in Columbia, SC, the second oldest of five children. After attending Columbia High School, John went on to join The Air National Guard of South Carolina and subsequently the US Air Force on November 6, 1984, where he retired as a Technical Sergeant on October 1, 2007.

A big, boisterous teddy bear, John married Marian Eskridge December 9, 1994 and raised two headstrong girls, and two strong men. His family and friends will remember him as a man of few words, a family man; a leader. He had a heart of gold, the best Mac and Cheese, the slickest jokes and best bear hugs a daughter or son could ever want. He often could be found fishing, customizing his Daytona, listening to music on his favorite stereo or cooking — one of his many passions for which he completed an AA in culinary arts to become a Chef. To his wife and kids, he was a devout husband and father. It didn’t matter the time, the day, or the person: if he was needed, he was there.

John is survived by his wife of 30 years, Marian, his two daughters and two sons; Nyirenda and Nyiesha Ross, Tereance Pope, Freddie Miller (Rose) and his goddaughter, Johnese Bostic; grandchildren Jamil Miller and Jade Miller; siblings Felicia Ross, Shirley Miller (Freddie), Regina Ross Thomas (Arthur Sr.), and Timothy Corbitt; brothers-in-law Arthur Thomas Sr, Reginald Harris Sr, Clarence Eskridge, Steve Eskridge (Nicole), Clifton Eskridge Jr; sisters-in-law Alfreda Harris, Patricia Davis, Annie Eskridge, Bertha Jana Witty (Jack); nephews Julius Smith, Nizhole Sherman, Keondre Harris, Derrick Stone, Arthur Thomas Jr, Dominic Eskridge, Malachi Eskridge, Nicholas Eskridge, Rishode Harris; nieces Tyanne Karinga, Kadence Karinga, Felicia ‘Lacee’ Davis, Serenity Thomas, Brittany Eskridge, Laquanda Smith, Latoya Miller, Nevada Thompson, Naemia Mills; grandnieces Kiya and Aaliyah Smith, Brooklyn Mills, Ariana Black and Jasmine Thompson; and grandnephews Delontae Batie, Juleon Cutner and Romir Cutner.

We love you, Dad. You and Grandma can play Tunk together, again.

Please join us celebrating his life Thursday morning June 18, 2026, between 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Heritage Funeral and Crematory, 508 North Government Way, Spokane, WA. The family asks for flowers to be sent to the funeral home.

The service will be livestreamed - please visit https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/ZDUMYX