James (Jim) Earl Ross

James (Jim) Earl Ross was born March 3, 1954, in Rusk, Texas to beloved parents Earl C. and Mona Ruth Ross.  He died September 16, 2025, after a hard-fought battle against cancer.   

Services for Jim will be September 19, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Rusk.  Visitation will start at 1:00 at the church with services to follow at 2:00.  There will be a graveside service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Rusk following the church service.  Rev. Dr. Sunny Farley will officiate.  

James grew up in Rusk and graduated in 1972 from Rusk High School.  He was a parts manager at the family-owned and operated Ford dealership, Rusk Motor Sales, for many years then moved to Palestine to become a master mechanic at the Goodyear Tire Store.  Then, in his late 30s, he decided to make a drastic career change and go to college.  In 1993, at the age of 39, he graduated from Tyler Junior College as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.  He spent the rest of his career in that field and most enjoyed working as a Home Health Nurse for East Texas Medical Center.  

From a young age Jim demonstrated an uncanny ability to figure out how something worked or how to put together and construct almost anything he set his mind to do.  He could do leatherwork, ceramics, mechanical repairs, plumbing, electrical work, construction, detailed inlay woodworking, carving, welding, sewing, handloading ammunition, soapmaking, and of course smoking a fine brisket for hours and hours. 

In his younger days, James loved camping, going “mud holing” in his “Beast” and driving his Ford Bronco.  He liked guns and living a simple life.   Jim was a Freemason and a member of the Euclid Lodge #45 in Rusk.  Jim was a Christian and a member of First United Methodist Church since childhood. 

Jim is survived by his son James Brandon Ross and wife Amy; daughter Lisa Karren Mutzig and husband Douglas; son Matthew Earl Ross and wife Rose; adopted son Michael Heath Ross and adopted daughter Amanda Ross. He is survived by brother Michael Ross and wife Glenda; sister Barbara Nickle and husband Richard and sister Patricia Ross-Arnwine.  Jim is survived by his grandchildren Samuel Ross, Joseph Ross, Sophia Ross, James Andrew Mutzig, Chase Mutzig, Dominick Rugg, and Jacob Atkinson and a number of nieces and nephews. 

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Ruth Ross, infant sister Deborah, his adopted daughter Amy Michelle Pate and the mothers of his children, Debra Wilcox Ross and Anita Keegan Ross.   

Pall bearers will be Dominick Rugg, Jacob Atkinson, Steven Ross, Johnny Patrick, Jody Transier, and Kelly Clay. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Euclid Lodge #45, 1206 North Main Street, Rusk, First United Methodist Church, PO Box 99, Rusk, or to a conservative cause of your choice.