Mr. Ross graduated from the 8th grade in Byron AR in a 2 room school house with a wooden out-house for the girls and 40 acres of wooded lot out back for the boys. The school still stands as a museum, the out-house also is there but we don't know if it is functional. Eight years later at age 22 he graduated from high school. To attend high school he drove the milk wagon 13 miles to and from Salem AR, when other farm work would allow him to attend. The price of the drive to school was that he drove the truck to town loading full cans and unloaded empty cans for use at each farm.
In order to pay for college, his Principal got him a job waiting tables at a dorm at Aransas State Teachers College. He played on the basketball team as zone breaker. Any team that used a zone defense was faced with Clyde going to one spot and dropping 90% of his shots to break any zone. He graduated at age 27 and started teaching at the same 2 room school he had attended for the princely sum of $48.00 a month. He was promoted to a small school where his job was superintendent, math teacher, basketball coach and bus driver. Here he met and married Wilma McKelvey.
Shortly after his marriage, WWII started and with only one eye he joined the relatively new US Air Force. There was a call for people with math skills to learn the navigation skills needed to navigate B-29's for the daylight bombing of Germany. He was in the first class of 1200 volunteers. Almost 600 graduated and all but Clyde and the other 4 top graduates shipped out. About 50% of this class was lost over Germany.
After returning to Arkansas, he started as principal at Monticello High School then became Superintendent of Schools for Drew County and finally served as Superintendent of Schools for Monticello Schools. He helped plan the current school system. He helped guided the community through desegration with relatively few problems although there were so many nightly meetings that his son once asked his mother who was that man at the dinner table when he was actually there.
He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church where he taught a Sunday school class for about 50 years. He was very involved in the Lions Club of Monticello for many years. After retiring he became a charter member of the Union Bank liars and coffee drinking club where all the world's problems were solved daily. To remain healthy he attempted to wear out the floor at Wal-Mart by walking at least 5 miles each day.
Condolences(13)
Tony Hudson
Monticello, AR Monday, February 7, 2011 While it is sad to learn of Mr. Ross passing away, I will keep the fond memories of him "wearing out the floor in Wal-Mart". I had the honor of greeting him daily while we were both pacing the floor at Wal-Mart. He always spoke and had kind words, not only for me but for anyone he would come into contact with. I would also see Mr. and Mrs. Ross walking around our fair city and admired their dedication to each other and to maintaining their health. I am sad I was not able to attend his services. I can pray for the family and know that Mr. Ross is now trying to wear out the floors in Heaven!! God bless you Mr. Ross. You were a blessing to me each time we met.BOB BOYD
AVONDALE ESTATES, GA Monday, February 7, 2011 EVERONE LOVED THIS MAN. HE TAUGHT ME CIVIC AT MONTICELLO HIGH SCHOOL. A GREAT TEACHER HE WAS FOR SURE.I AM SORRY FOR THE FAMILY. HE WILL BE MISSED AND REMEMBERED. THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO MR. ROSS WAS AT MY 1948 H.S. CLASS REUNION IN MONTICELLO IN 1998.
Joan (Reynolds) Middleton
Kingwood, TX Saturday, February 5, 2011 I remember Mr. Ross as a wonderful man and example for the students at MHS. He was kind but also firm.God bless each of you during this time of loss.
Joan (Reynolds) Middleton
Class of 1950
Byron Howlett
San Antonio, TX Saturday, February 5, 2011 I am a 1947 graduate of Monticello Arkansas High School. Mr. Ross was a great educator and friend. He was always a big supporter of us as students and athletes and he attended all our games.Our 1947 class had many school reuions and Mr. Ross always attended them
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Helen Thatcher Czeczok
Duluth, MN Saturday, February 5, 2011 I am so sorry for your loss! This was an exceptionally good man and I remember him fondly.linda funderburg
monticello, AR Thursday, February 3, 2011 my prayers for the ross familyBarbara Vincent-Benton
Warren, AR Thursday, February 3, 2011 I am sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Ross. My mom, Mildred Vincent, worked for him for many years. Just a week or two ago, she stated that she wanted to know how to get in contact with his family. She has very fond memories of Mr. Clyde and his family. I was so impressed whenever i saw him and his wife out walking. It actually motivated me. So on behalf of my mother, I would like to let you know that you all are in our prayers. May God bless you all.Dorothy McWhorter
Bedford, TX Thursday, February 3, 2011 My class, the MHS graduating class of 1950, was the first class to be taught by Mr. Ross, after his return from WWII. He had the greatest understanding of teenagers and had a terrific sense of humor when dealing with us. He was a credit to his profession and well respected.Claudette Anderson
Washington, DC Thursday, February 3, 2011 To: Dr. Grace A. Ross and FamilyTomorrow Will Start Without Me
"Tomorrow will start without me, And I'm not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today, While thinking of the many
things, We didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand, And said my place was ready, In heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave behind, All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye, For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do, It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving
you. I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad, I thought of all that we shared, And all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, That this could never be, For emptiness and memories, would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity, And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past, but here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last, and since each day's the same way, There's no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, So
trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, You knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free. So won't you come and take my hand, and share my life with
me? So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, For every time you think of me, I'm right there, in your heart. "
May God’s Grace continue to comfort you!
Claudette, OESE
PAT SAVAGE
Monticello, AR Thursday, February 3, 2011 So sorry for the loss of Mr. Ross. My parents, Tommy and Martha Scifres, always thought the world of Mr. Ross. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Suza Curry Jordan
Austin, TX Thursday, February 3, 2011 Mack and Grace Ann, I just wanted to say hello. I was very saddened to hear about your Dad. He was such a sweet man, and I will always remember him.With deepest sympathy,
Suza Curry Jordan
Kay McClain Worbington
Monticello, AR Wednesday, February 2, 2011 Mack and Grace Ann,I am sorry for the loss of your father. He was a Monticello icon and a dear person. I remember him as a kind, soft-spoken man. My prayers are with you and your families.
Mr & Mrs Terry L. Jordan
Jonesboro, AR Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ross family.