Richard "Dick" Ross

After bravely coping and battling with a number of health issues, Dick Ross, ran his final proverbial race down the quarter mile drag strip. Walking away with his highly coveted, proudly won Wally Award, he was welcomed by and rejoined with his best friend, partner in crime and son, our very much loved and dearly missed Scott, who passed away less than a year ago.

Our beloved Husband, Son, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Uncle, Nephew, Cousin, and most importantly, an incredible friend to all he met and knew, Dick, peacefully passed away April 4, 2016 with his incredibly dedicated and loving wife of 48 years, JoAnn by his side.

Dick truly was a friend to all he knew and came across. After living in Delta, Utah his entire life, he had many, many dear local friends, but also, literally, the hundreds of friends he and his family met along the way, mostly by means of traveling both close to home, as well as across the country; mainly to participate, but also to watch and support his fellow racers that ranged in brackets from famous Top-Fuel Nitrous fueled dragster and funny car drivers to the guys and gals who enjoyed tinkering with their cars for Friday night grudge matches.

After nearly every weekend during the racing season, you could count on him and JoAnn to come home from the drag races with story after story of who they saw, met, or reconnected with.

Dick absolutely loved to talk. When he wasn't off drag racing or tinkering around his shop and yard, he'd spend hours at his beloved "Table 54" with his friends at the Rancher Cafe and his canine furbabies he loved so dearly in tow. Even after he quit smoking, he'd sit outside in the cold swapping stories with all his buddies and Rancher girls. He loved each and every one of them, and it goes without saying how much he'll be missed there.

For many, many reasons, Dick was a very special, unique man of many talents that went beyond his love and knowledge of cars. Always a man of entrepreneurial spirit, he contributed to his family and racing hobby mostly by running his own businesses, the last and longest running being Dick's Tires. He loved buying and selling cars while running his tire business with his son Scott. They were quite the dynamic duo. They butted heads here and there, but working together side by side, they made a great team.

Dick was born, raised, and lived his entire life in Delta, Utah to Norma Ross and raised by his grandparents, Dell and Lorraine Ross. He attended Delta High School and soon after earned his certificate in welding he earned from Utah Valley University.

After meeting his lovingly dedicated wife JoAnn Morris at a Rodeo Dance in Deseret, summer of 1966, they were married March 1, 1968 in the Manti Temple. He soon after adopted Scott Glenn Ross. Their daughter Hollie came along in August, 1969. His youngest daughter, Hillary came along in October, 1974. His daughters always held a special place in his heart. He was a wonderful father aand grandpa in the best way he possibly could be and taught all three of his kids some of the most important and relevant life lessons. They all three knew they could come to him anytime with pure honesty, without fear of judgment or reprimand. Words alone cannot communicate how much he was loved by his family and how much he will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, JoAnn Ross of Delta, Utah, his mother, Norma Kruletz of Tooele, Utah, Brother, Tony (Julie) Kruletz of Tooele, Utah, Daughter-In-Law, Carrie Ross of Delta, Utah, Daughter Hollie (Albert) Salaiz of Silver City, New Mexico, Daughter Hillary Ross of St. George, Utah. Grandchildren Trey, Tanner, Jessi, Tyler (Giovanna), Marissa (Taylor), Dakota and Franki (Ivan). He was blessed with a very special gift from his grandson Tyler & Giovanna, the most beautiful, angelic great granddaughter, Bailey.

He is preceded in death by his son, Scott Ross, grandparents, Dell & Lorraine Ross, and stepfather, Tony Kruletz.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016  at 11:00 AM at the Sutherland 2nd Ward Chapel.  Viewings will be held Friday April 8, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:40 AM both at the Sutherland Chapel. Interment will be at the Delta City Cemetery under the care of Olpin Stevens Funeral Home.  Online Condolences can be offered at www.olpinstevensfuneralhome.com