Obituary of Joseph George Ross, Jr.

Lt. Colonel (USAF Ret) Joseph G. Ross, Jr., 86, of Herndon, Virginia died on July 18, 2017 following a long illness.  A 58-year resident of Northern Virginia, Joe spent 17 years in technical editing and publications production for the defense industries, spending most of this time at Melpar/E-Systems.

Joe retired from the Library of Congress as the Publications Section Head at the U.S. Copyright Office in January 1997 after 28 years of Federal service.  Joe grew up in Spring City, a small town near Philadelphia, PA.  He is a 1952 graduate of Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in English.  Duke was where he met the love of his life, Beverly Boyle Ross, who predeceased him after 55 years of marriage. Joe completed graduate course work at Johns Hopkins and George Washington Universities.

Joe served 4 years active duty in the United States Air Force, 17 years in the Maryland Air National Guard  & retired from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1990.  His awards included Maryland Meritorious Service Medal as well as the National Defense Service Medal.

Joe raised English Bulldogs, traveled the world and read widely. He was a loyal fan of the Duke Blue Devils, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Redskins.

He leaves his two children, David J. Ross of Greenville, NC and Elaine V. Ross of Herndon, VA, three grandchildren, Matthew George Ross, Caitlin Elizabeth Ross and Brian Michael Ross, and many close friends.

Joe was beloved by his family and friends and will be remembered as a kind and gentle man with a sparkling sense of humor that was evident every day of his life.

A memorial service will be held at a future date at the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myers in Arlington, VA followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery.