Marvin Dwight “Marty” Ross, 88, of Marietta, OK passed away on May
18, 2022 at Lake Country Nursing Center in Marietta. Marty was born
June 4, 1933 in Garrard County, KY, to Matilda (Lucas) and Stanley
Ross.
Marty grew up in Lexington, KY and graduated from Lafayette High
School. On June 29, 1951, he joined the United States Air Force,
enlisting during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged on
June 28, 1955. He proudly served his country and earned numerous
awards, including the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service
Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Marty retired as an aviation radar technician for the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA). During his life, Marty always had a
passion for horses and after his retirement from FAA he became a
horse trainer. He later became a horse farm manager for many
prominent horses and owners.
Marty married his bride of 40 years, Loretta Lee “Lori” Bennett on
March 13, 1971 in Dallas, TX. Lori preceded him in death on December
21, 2011. Marty and Lori made their home in Oklahoma. Marty and Lori
were both very active members of Eastside Baptist Church. In 1998,
they established a ranch south of Marietta which was named Cross and
Crown Ministries. They held many events all focused on honoring
Jesus. It is a place where people can enjoy the outdoors, horses,
and hear about Jesus. The couple also were both active members in
other Rodeo Bible Camps with the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys.
Marty was a Chaplain for Cowboys for Christ.
Marty had a passion for sharing about Jesus with anyone and everyone
that would listen. He would always say, “Just Braggin’ on Jesus”.
Marty loved spending quality time with his family and friends.
Those left to carry on his memory are his son, Barry Ross and wife
Terilyn of Oklahoma City, OK; daughter, Carla Gwin and husband
Michael of Wayne, OK; two others who were loved as their daughters,
Katie Cothren and Becky Stilwell; brother, Paul Combs of Kentucky;
sisters, Mary McCollum of Florida and Linda Combs of Kentucky;
grandchildren, Callie Henry and husband Brandon, Kyle Wells and wife
Kalle, Kyli Erickson and husband John, and Dior Dowling and husband
Auston; and great-grandchildren, Drake, Kyleigh, Faith, Journey,
Cambri, Hartlee, and Meritt.
In addition to his wife and parents, Marty was preceded in death by
his daughter, Shauna Ross; brothers, James Ross, Kelly Combs, and
David Combs; and sister, Betty Bowman.
Services to celebrate Marty’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday,
May 23, 2022 at the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home Chapel in Marietta
with Pastor Brett Alberda officiating. Interment will follow at the
Lakeview Cemetery in Marietta under the direction of Flanagan-Watts
Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Casket bearers are Michael Gwin, Roy Eaves, Mark Basinger, Dean
Holden, Marty Grisham, Mike Buxton, Mike McArthur, and Kenny
O’Quinn. Honorary bearers are Cross and Crown Ministries, Cross and
Crown Men’s Bible Study, Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, and Marty
and Lori’s Sunday School Class at Eastside Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cross and Crown
Ministries, P.O. Box 307, Marietta, OK 73448 or dropped off at the
Funeral Home.
