Return to Station Listings
|
Gerald David Ross (Jerry)
Born: 3/12/1936
Died: 12/6/2015
Age: 79
Community: Tamarac, FL
|
Gerald David Ross (Jerry) 79, went to be with the Lord on December 6, 2015 surrounded by family at home in Tamarac, Florida. Jerry battled cancer for many years until it was time to leave this world for his eternal destiny. He was born March 12, 1936 in Flint, Michigan. The youngest of seven children born to William and Irene Ross. In 1954 he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Mary Zigler, his wife of 61 years. They were blessed with nine children and businesses that expanded to both Michigan and Florida, employing thousands of people.
Jerry was such a success during his early career in business that by age 28 he had his first million dollars in the bank. God blessed him with the gift of making money. Jerry understood the source of his blessings and built a chapel in his first mansion to worship the God from whom all blessings flow. He invested in many commercial properties in Flint and started a variety of Flint businesses including: Retail carpet stores, Ross Furniture City, Ross Properties, Inc., Commercial Warehouse Leasing, World Wide Furniture with 20 stores in Michigan, Furniture Outlet, Inc., apartment leasing with three major Flint Apartment complexes, a chain of Ross Oil Changes, Ross Miller Rd. Plaza, Ross Furniture, Sofa Galleries, USA Furniture, J&R Furniture. Ross Properties then started purchasing commercial properties in Florida: Warehouses, Hotels, showrooms, banquet facilities, business complexes, famous Miami mansions which he enjoyed restoring to their former glory. His profolio of properties totalled more than Sixty Million Dollars in Florida alone. Florida businesses included Ross Furniture, Miami International Design Center, Corporate Travel, Kar Krazy of Miami, El Palacio Hotel chain and the new Stadium Hotel in Miami. Jerry was also instrumental in financing churches and outreach centers in both Flint and Miami. Jerry loved the Lord and gave generously to a wide variety of Christian ministries and political candidates who are Christians.
Not only did Jerry have the gift of making money, he could be a friend and mentor to people who are having a difficult time in life. He helped people having a hard time believe in themselves which was a gift that God gave him. Jerry would see a life distressed and downcast and reach out his hand to give that person a lift. He has received dozens of letters from those who have expressed gratitude for what he has helped in their lives. Jerry could see the potential in a broken down property and envisioned what it can become. His creative vision and fortitude was his proven formula for success. Jerry was known and loved by many famous people and celebrities in his lifetime, inviting them to his Miami home as house guests. Such inspirational and motivational speakers as: Zig Ziglar, Dr. Robert Schuller, John Lawhorn and Evil Knevil. They would be asked to speak to his businesses to motivate his employees. At age 40, Jerry announced his retirement and claimed he would retire from actively running his businesses. While he no longer went to the office or kept regular business hours... his retirement was short lived. His creative mind and boundless energy just couldn’t let go of his passion for business. Here’s how one of his former employees shares his memories about Jerry...
“He became my mentor after I left a high level position with a fortune 500 company in Miami. He told me that working with him will be the greatest experience of my lifetime because I will learn so much from him and that was true.
Jerry was gifted with a quick mind. He transplanted his visions into reality with amazing speed and accuracy. He made millions but yet lived a Spartan existence within the confines of his elaborate homes and buildings. That was enough to satisfy him as he never relished travel to exotic places or to simply relax and enjoy the fruits of his brilliant labors.
Jerry was a man of action and his income was more psychic in nature versus the monetary rewards that flowed from his well defined business acumen. He got “high on the action” with little patience for excuses or dallying about which would get in the way of his predetermined outcome in each and every project he overtook whether it be on the tennis court, racing in a speed boat or remodeling 10 high level properties all at the same time.
Here is a guy who rose from the ashes with meager beginnings and without a formal education, but he could outthink, outsell, out strategize, out compete the best of the best.
The lessons I learned from Jerry could easily fill a volume. The essence of his teachings however was that no matter what the obstacles never give up and place all your burdens on the Lord who will provide you with the strength to overcome life’s “speed bumps.” used by permission- Joel Lanken
Jerry was such a gifted and generous person, He will be greatly missed.
Surviving are his wife Frances and children, Debra Earnest (Robert), Linda Winfrey (Lee), Bonnie Drudi(John), William Ross (Tanya), Gerilyn Ross, David Ross (Brenda), Denise Barto (Brad), John Ross and Joan Ross Lamb, 28 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and brother Glen Ross.
A private family funeral at Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida was held on December 9th and a Private Memorial Service was December 12, 2015 at Swartz Funeral Home in Flint. Burial at Flint Memorial Park in Mt. Morris, MI
|
Copyright © 2025 Direct Obits, LLC
| Visitation |
| Date: |
|
12/12/2015 |
| Time: |
|
- |
|
|
|
| Funeral Service |
| No Service |
|
Return to Station Listings
|
|
