Gerald Keith Ross

Gerald Keith Ross, 88, of Salisbury, NC went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 18, 2024 surrounded by his wife and daughters after 4 years of declining health and a short acute illness. Gerald, better known to all as “Whitey”, was born in Pelzer, SC on May 9, 1936 to the late Evelyn Carr Ross and Paul Howard Ross. Gerald graduated from Durham High School in 1955 and began working for JH Cook and Sons in Durham, NC shortly after. Gerald continued to work for JH Cook and Sons in various capacities for 65 years, until he fully retired in 2020. Gerald was a veteran of the US Navy. Gerald was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 43 years. He was also a member of the Salisbury Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He loved animals, especially his beloved dogs, Casper, Abe and Lilly, and was an avid gardener. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Beulah Ross Anderson, Dean Howard Ross, Mary Frances McCrary, Edwin Gayle Ross, and Kenneth Guy Ross. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carolyn King Ross of Salisbury, NC, daughter Melissa Ross Matton (William Christopher “Chris”) of Raleigh, NC; grandsons, William Ross Matton of Raleigh , NC and Nevett Scott Matton of Raleigh, NC; daughter Jennifer Ross Niswander (Brent) of Zebulon, NC and grandchildren, Joseph William “Will” Hall, IV (Natalie) of Clayton, NC, Zachary Alexander “Zack” Hall (Mackenzie Hudson) of Cary, NC, Emmerson Niswander Thornton (David “DJ”) of Troutman, NC, and Ashton Niswander of Raleigh, NC, and sister-in-law, Rebecca King Ross (Kyle Moses) of Calabash, NC. The family would like to thank and acknowledge the care that Gerald received from the nursing and respiratory therapy staff of the step-down unit at Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center. In addition, the family thanks Dr. A. Patel and Dr. Z. Ahmad for their compassionate care in Gerald’s final days. The family would also like to thank Dr. Douglas Shellhorn and Dr. Neil Patel for managing Gerald’s illness for the last 4 years, enabling Gerald to be present for many significant family milestones. Without their compassionate care, we would have not had the joy of seeing Gerald celebrate these milestones with his family. Visitation will be held at Summersett Memorial Chapel at 11:30 am on Saturday, January 4, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, 220 Grace Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28147 are appreciated.

Gerald Keith Ross

May 9, 1936 - November 18, 2024