Donald Eugene Ross of Miramar Beach, Florida age 76, passed away peacefully in the loving arms of Jesus on December 31, 2022, after a recurrence of his Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Don was born in Chicago, IL, the son of Marie V. (Pogorzelski) and Virgil Omar Ross on April 16, 1946.  He was proceeded in death by his mother and father, sister JoAnn Ross and brother Robert Ross, and is survived by his wife of 40 years Wendy G. Ross and Don's son Scott J Ross of IL.   Don is also survived by numerous cousins in Illinois, Arizona and Georgia.

Don grew up in Chicago until he was drafted into the Army's K Battery 29 ^th Artillery and 82 ^nd Airborne Division. He served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.  After being wounded in the Army, he returned to the Chicago area and eventually moved to Wheaton, a suburb of Chicago where he worked in the automotive field with Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick.

In 1982 Don and Wendy moved to Destin FL where he worked for Rhodes Automotive until 1986 when he started a position with Sandestin Beach Resort as Director of Vehicle Maintenance.  Don was able to build the Vehicle Maintenance department to well over 100 vehicles by the time he retired from Sandestin in 2001.

Don enjoyed over the years working on his 1973 Corvette, fishing, and loved Nascar Racing.  One of the highlights of Don's life was being able to experience the Richard Petty Driving Experience in which he was able to drive on the Talladega track.  Don enjoyed the numerous trips he and Wendy took to Murphy NC to enjoy the cooler weather and great fishing.

Don would like to thank Dr. Mose Hayes, Dr. Joseph Siefker and Covenant Hospice. A Celebration of Don's life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 17, 2023 at Destin United Methodist Church; 200 Beach Drive, Destin, FL 32541 with Reverend Allen Newton and Reverend Kim Cannon officiating and Military Honors by the United States Army. Burial will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Destin UMC (200 Beach Dr. Destin, FL), Covenant Hospice (choosecovenant.org) or an organization of your choice.