George Ross,

George Webster (Web) Ross Jr., 84 of Little Rock passed away surrounded by his family on April 7, 2013. He was born in Toledo, Oregon to Nell Clark and George Webster Ross, Sr. He was a US Navy veteran and a Presbyterian.
Web had an entrepreneurial spirit from a very young age. His first venture began at 8 years old as a magazine distributor with 6 different publications that he carried. He had several very creative endeavors throughout his schooling and always earned his own pocket change. This was only the beginning of a lifelong love of entrepreneurship.
He graduated from high school in Salem, Oregon in 1946 and enlisted in the Navy where he served for 2 years. In 1952 he earned a degree in business administration from Oregon State University. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. It was here that he met his bride of 63 years, Ella Lee Carlsen. He often told anyone who would listen that the night he walked into the sorority his eyes went directly to the most beautiful girl in the room. They married his sophomore year of college in December, 1949.
Most of his career was spent in the wood products industry beginning with Scott Paper Company in Everett, Washington. In 1963 he moved his family to Crossett, Arkansas where he became Assistant Manager in the paper mill at the Georgia Pacific Corporation. Web and his family spent 12 wonderful years in Crossett and forged many lifelong friendships.
In 1975, he was given an opportunity to foster his entrepreneurial spirit yet again. This meant a move to Malvern, Arkansas where he served as manager and part owner of the Hot Spring County Lumber Company. This was a completely new venture for Web which he embraced with vigor.
After his 3rd year with the saw mill he was presented an offer which he could not refuse. This meant a move back to his native Oregon to Lake Oswego. He worked for Publisher's Paper Company a subsidiary of Times Mirror Corporation, where he retired as President/CEO. This move allowed them to be closer to family.
Retirement enabled him to transition from the corporate environment to independent small business enterprises. He held several board positions and assisted in the development and eventual success of a number of small businesses. His most rewarding was as consultant and board member for Anthony-Ross, the company that his son Tom co-founded.
Web served as chairman for the Oregon State University Business School Advisory Board, the Executive Committee for the Oregon State University Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee of the World Forestry Center Board, Board member of the High Desert Museum in Central Oregon, Board of Trustees Marylhurst College among many others . Over the course of his career he was also an active member of many community groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.
Reflecting on his career at the age of 78 he began work on a book. Part memoir, part guide for the entrepreneur, it detailed his ideas of the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur. The book was published under the title Rescuing the American Dream: The Entrepreneur's Way. He enjoyed radio and television interviews and presentations to college business classes.
Web was a devoted husband through thick and thin. He demonstrated courage, commitment and grace as his role changed from equal partner to loving and patient care giver-defining the role of spouse and providing an exemplary model for his children. He was proud of his 63 years of marriage. They were always entertaining whether you were watching them command the dance floor or sing their famous duet, Baby It's Cold Outside.
Web played just as hard as he worked. He developed a love of nature as a young boy and spent many hours camping and fishing in beautiful spots near and far. He played cards and loved golf and was an enthusiastic member of several clubs in Arkansas, Oregon and Palm Desert, California. He was a fierce tennis player and played several times a week until his health prevented him from doing so. He won many karaoke contests but was most famous for his rendition of My Way, which defined his life until the end.
Stories of his practical jokes are legend and his sense of humor knew no bounds. Family and friends were a major part of his life and he had legions of extended family and friends from coast to coast and around the world. He chronicled his travels and gatherings through self-edited video.
But chances are, if you ask anyone who knew him what they will remember most about him, it will be his graceful dancing feet. Whether whirling his beautiful wife around the dance floor or dancing a jig in the middle of a hotel lobby (sometimes even when there was no music playing), he just couldn't keep himself from moving. Occasionally, this hobby even earned him a few quarters. Web even had a go at tap dance well into his 70's.
He was a strong support and true inspiration to his children and grandchildren. He was profoundly proud of his family. They were a constant source of joy to him.
Web leaves behind his wife Ella Lee, children Web (Betty), Tom (Francie), and Mary Ella (Wayne), brother Gary (Ernestine) sisters-in-law Marjorie Chandler and Doris Carlsen, and close friend of 80 years, Dick Hendrie (Norma); his grandchildren Ryan (Crissy), Elliot, Lindsey (Daniel), Alison, Benjamin, Webster, Willem, and Leelee.
He will be remembered and celebrated for his zest for life, his charm, his love of family and friends, his many career and personal achievements, and his panache on the dance floor.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Road, Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one's favorite Alzheimer's charity.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Web's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.