Eugene "Dale" Ross, Jr. - Walker Funeral Home

The funeral service will be streamed live. Please return to Dale's memorial page shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, and click on the link below.

Eugene Dale Ross, Jr. Funeral Service

Eugene Dale Ross Jr. passed away while encircled by his family on Easter morning April 9, 2023. He died of complications from diabetes.

Dale was born on August 28, 1946, in Lynwood, California. He was the second child of Glenavere Hunting and Eugene Dale Ross. He was raised in Ontario, California with his older sister, Jenie, and two younger brothers, Jim and Lynn. While growing up in California, Dale learned his two athletic life loves, swimming and baseball. He swam the backstroke on his high school swim team and was a lifelong Dodgers fan. In his youth he regularly visited family in Vernal, Utah where he learned to also love the outdoors.

Dale attended his freshman year at Chaffey College before leaving to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North German mission. When he returned, Dale moved to Provo, Utah to attend BYU. While there, he met Ann Marie Johnson in a square dancing class. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 22, 1972, beginning a lifelong bond. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family in Grand Teton National Park this past summer.

After Dale graduated from BYU with a degree in physical education, he and Ann Marie made their home in Kalispell, Montana, where daughters Alyson and Hilary were born. They then moved to Logan, Utah, for a short time while Dale earned his Masters Degree from Utah State University. The next move was to Rawlins, Wyoming, where they settled and lived for the next 38 years. A son, Brandon, and two more daughters, Lindsey and Ashley, were born there.

Until his retirement, Dale worked as the aquatics director for Rawlins High School and taught and coached swimming. During his career, he received many awards and recognitions including being honored as the Wyoming Boys’ Swim Coach of the Year multiple times and as the 1997 National Swimming Federation Coach of the Year. He also served on the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Swimming and Diving Rules Committee for many years, and he was inducted into the Wyoming Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003. Most importantly, he is remembered fondly by the students and athletes he worked with over the years, some of whom have followed in his footsteps to coach the next generation of swimmers.

Despite a busy work and coaching schedule, Dale found time to serve in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as the bishop of his Rawlins ward.

For the past 10 years, Dale and Ann Marie have made their home in Payson, Utah, where they moved after retirement to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In 2015 they served a senior mission for their church in New Jersey. They loved the wonderful people they met and learned that New Jersey truly is the Garden State.

Dale’s interests included fly fishing, backpacking, camping, reading, watching BYU sports, attending concerts with Ann Marie, and spending time with his family. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, who were the light of his life. He made every effort to attend his grandchildren’s various activities and events.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Lynn. He is survived by his wife, Ann Marie; children Alyson Farmer (Brad), Hilary Roberts (Lee), Brandon Ross (Michelle), Lindsey Ross, and Ashley Walton (Derek); and 16 grandchildren who he loved to sneak to Farr’s ice cream against their parents’ wishes.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 952 West 1580 South, Payson, Utah. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

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Visitation

Saturday, April 15, 2023
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
952 West 1580 South
Payson, Utah

MAP

Funeral Service

Saturday, April 15, 2023
11:00 a.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
952 West 1580 South
Payson, Utah

MAP

Interment

Saturday, April 15, 2023
Payson City Cemetery
400 North 800 East
Payson, Utah

MAP

23 Condolences for Eugene “Dale” Ross, Jr.

Condolences(23)

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Aaron Moore says
April 11, 2023 at 11:57 pm

You were a great swim coach R.I.P. coach!!!!!!!!
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Bob Lambertsen says
April 12, 2023 at 3:09 am

More than a great coach; Coach Ross was a great and genuine person, a wonderful friend and a great mentor. He was respected by all he coached and taught. “Elbows high”. Rest easy
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  Nathan shears says
  April 12, 2023 at 11:24 am
  
  Coach. Not only did you teach me so much about swimming but also so much about life. Perseverance, fortitude, determination,and to never give up, to name a few. You believed in me when few others did. I never would have excelled in the Marine corps or in life with out those lessons. You are my greatest mentor and prepared me for the wins and loses of life. You are sorely missed my friend. Hope your having the great spaghetti dinner in the sky, good bye coach.
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  Aaron Newell says
  April 14, 2023 at 3:37 am
  
  An amazing man. Great job coach!! You definitely left your mark.
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Bob Lambertsen says
April 12, 2023 at 3:10 am

More than a great coach; Coach Ross was a great coach, a genuine person, a wonderful friend and a great mentor. He was respected by all he coached and taught. “Elbows high”. Rest easy
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  Owen R Krysl says
  April 13, 2023 at 3:41 pm
  
  Bob, great to see your tribute to Coach Ross. Coach Ross was an excellent coach and human being. He was an influence for good for many, especially his family and his past swimmers. Thank you, Coach!
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    Bob says
    April 15, 2023 at 1:52 am
    
    Hi Owen. Yes he was a huge influence. It is nice to see your tribute also. And I remember when his family first came to Rawlins. We were so excited to be able to have a swim coach and he started an AAU swim team. Rawlins Aquatic team. (RAT). He was our mentor and our inspiration.
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Leif and Dianne Johansson and Leif Jr., Kelly, Missy and Matt's Johansson says
April 12, 2023 at 5:02 am

So very sorry to hear the world has lost one of its Very, Very Best of the Best!!!! Dale left a huge imprint 0n our family. We all truly loved this Great Coach, man, friend and Brother Ross.
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  Philip Rehard says
  April 12, 2023 at 3:59 pm
  
  Thank you to one of the biggest influences in my life. A pure class act. You will be missed by all.
  Love you Coach!!
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Philip Rehard says
April 12, 2023 at 4:00 pm

Thank you to one of the biggest influences in my life. A pure class act. You will be missed by all.
Love you Coach!!
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Scot Newbrough says
April 12, 2023 at 4:05 pm

Ann Marie and Kids. I am so sorry to hear about Dale’s passing. He was such a kind and understanding man. A good friend, leader, educator and most of all Coach! (and even once upon a time neighbor.) I am sure John, Cody, Eric, and I tried his patients on a few overnight trips, but he was always forgiving. I think of him and your family often. I wish you well.
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Jacob Rehard says
April 12, 2023 at 5:09 pm

As he did for so many, Coach Ross had a great impact on my life. I will be forever grateful that I got to be a small part of his life and he got to be a big part of mine. Thank you Anne Marie, Alyson, Hilary, Brandon, Lindsey and Ashley for sharing him with all of us. My condolences to all of you.
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Steve and Janet Olson says
April 12, 2023 at 5:36 pm

Ann Marie and family, with great sadness we received notice of Dale’s passing. Janet and I extend our condolences, thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Cannot help but think back and remember when you first came to Rawlins. Few people have had as great of impact upon our lives and the lives of our family as you, Dale, and your family. Even though, at this time, we honor Dale for all that he has done, and his many contributions to church and community, we also honor you. Dale, a humble man, a man of integrity, a man of service, and a man of love for God, his Savior, his family, his church, his work, and his fellowman, especially those whom he coached and mentored and served, will sorely be missed. We are grateful, and are better individuals, for having Dale, you and your family as part of our lives. What not a better day to leave this earth’s existence but Easter, the day we celebrate the reality of the resurrection. The day that represents the hope, and understanding that we will be together again. We love the Ross family and pray that you will find peace and strength and be comforted with this knowledge. Love to you, Allyson, Hillary, Brandon, Lindsey, and Ashley.
Steve and Janet Olson
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Bryan Shears says
April 12, 2023 at 5:53 pm

Coach Ross had such a positive influence on my life and the Rawlins community. He was a special person and coach who had a remarkable gift for connecting with kids from all backgrounds. As a kid, it felt like he saw potential in everyone. I can’t recall a single teammate that didn’t admire him. He made you feel like you were capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. There was something remarkable about Coach Ross. He impacted a lot people for the better, he will be missed. Thank you Coach for everything you did.
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Tom Neuwerth says
April 12, 2023 at 9:40 pm

Coach Ross was an incredible person, not the typical “hero” you read about, but a hero in small ways to the MANY young people he helped influence and develop into quality people. As I’ve shared news of his passing many stories from old friends have surfaced of the times he gave willingly of himself to help others, truly selfless

He helped teach me to swim as a PE teacher. And after many years, I swim for him in both middle and high school. I’m happy to say I was there the year of his retirement, and although it was sad, we did win conference. Many of us hoped it would be a final tribute to him as he retired but it’s never something he would’ve asked us to do or even thought about!

Dale was my first “real” boss as a lifeguard as 16, and someone who was a friend and mentor to all who would have him. He’ll be greatly missed.
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Spencer Cherry says
April 13, 2023 at 3:29 am

Coach Ross is one of three people outside of my immediate family who had the biggest positive impact on my life. And his daughter is another one of those three. The things I learned from him and his coaching, direction, and encouragement, set me up to be successful for the rest of my life. From him I learned the value of hard work. I learned the value of consistent effort. I learned the value of goal setting. I learned how to apply instructions. I learned the importance of a positive mental attitude (mental imagery). I learned what failure feels like and how to get over those feelings of failure. He taught me the value of the one. When I was debating between basketball and swimming my freshmen year. He went out of his way to ‘recruit’ me onto the swim team and the basketball coach never even knew I existed. I was only one of many, but his actions showed me how everyone is important.

I was also blessed to be able to know Dale outside of the pool. Through being friends with his daughter and through church I was able to get to know him in his home. From those additional interactions, from seeing him in his home with his family, I learned that in spite of life’s challenges, or maybe because of them, Dale possessed an inner strength that, to this day, fills me with wonder and awe. His inner strength, humility, and perseverance is what I aspire to and hope that I can posses someday too. His wonderful family that he created is a testament to his goodness.

I am a better person and the world is a better place because Dale Ross was here.
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Matthew Gardner says
April 13, 2023 at 5:15 am

Brandon and I became best friends our 3rd grade year of elementary school and remain so to this day. I don’t have proof of this but I’m highly confident that I spent more time in the Ross home on Kilmary than anyone else, excluding their immediate family. He might not have realized it but Dale was like a second father to me. I remember his love of the outdoors, his Garden, his laughter, the blue Ford, and his love of the Dodgers and following them in the newspaper (their always seemed to be newspapers on the kitchen table).

Dale was bishop of our ward in Rawlins when I was primary age and I remember looking up to him as a man of faith, righteousness and high standards and being a witness of those traits in his interactions with the family. My life will be forever blessed because of my association with Dale and the Ross family!
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Brandon Ross says
April 13, 2023 at 1:18 pm

Thank you for these comments. I take great comfort in reading them. They capture the essence of my dad so well. I too am blessed to have been taught, coached, disciplined, inspired, and loved by Dale. I love you dad.
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John and Amy Frakes says
April 14, 2023 at 1:26 am

Ann Marie and family. It is sad indeed to hear of Coach Ross’ passing. He was a great man whose influence and impact have positively affected generations, including many in my own family. Amy and I send our deep condolences to all of you.

Over the many years since I left Rawlins, WY, he has been a person I have reflected on again and again. He was a mentor to me more than I ever realized as a teenager and his influence for good has impacted my life in so many positive ways. Though I wasn’t a very good swimmer, and often into mischief, he pushed all of us to work hard and he set an example of patience, kindness, humility and many meaningful values that have served me well in life. He also mentored me at Church as our Bishop and I enjoyed his many lessons and insights into a successful life…..most especially he helped me learn the gospel and the value of Christ’s Atonement.

What a blessing it is to know that these goodbyes are not permanent, something he taught me well in my youth. I pray that as each of you mourn that time can bring you peace, grace bring you healing, and love bring you comfort in the knowledge that families can be together forever…..a testimony that your husband, father, and grandfather held so dear. With deep sympathy.

John and Amy Frakes
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Jessi Noehring (Anderson) says
April 14, 2023 at 8:14 pm

My condolences go out to the entire Ross family ♥️ As you know, he was an angel on Earth!

Not everyone you cross paths with in life makes a distinguishable mark on who you are. Fortunately, I had the honor of being one of the many swimmers Coach Ross mentored. We shared many early mornings together, hugs after successful events, and tears when things didn’t go as planned.

Coach Ross- you had mutual respect for those around you, the brightest smile, and most nobly you weren’t afraid of a bus full of teenage girls. Not only did you help mold who I am today, but you gave me the skills to conquer life’s hardest moments with strength and confidence rooted firmly in hard work.
Love you ♥️
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Rick Marsden says
April 15, 2023 at 3:52 pm

Dale was “Uncle Dale” to me and my siblings (children of Jenie). Unlike many of the heart-felt tributes posted, my siblings didn’t get to experience coach Ross first hand. I have other memories. I always respected him for his knowledge and perspective on things. One thing that stands out for me is how he treated his sister, my mother. I never observed anything other than complete love and kindness to her, and to me and my siblings. His genuine love is evident in the relationship that his children have with Aunt Jenie.

The “Ross” character traits of working hard and striving for the best were exemplified by Uncle Dale.
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Dan Brownell says
April 15, 2023 at 7:04 pm

Oh what fond memories I have of Dale. He was a very special man in my life as he helped pick me up and made my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints very special. I loved him as my Home Teacher and latter as my Companion. He helped me with my callings. I got to admire this man and his family. I was sad to see him leave Rawlins but happy for his family in Utah. Rest in Peace my friend. I honor and love you as does my wife and my family. God Bless. From the family of Dan & Melissa Brownell
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Lauri Hunting Batterman says
April 15, 2023 at 11:53 pm

Dale will always be my big cousin. We had some great memories together as young kids growing up in the Ross and Hunting households. I love reading all the tributes to him. He was an inspiration to many people and a very kind man. I’m so sorry to have missed the service today, I know it would’ve been beautiful.