Cyril James Ross

Cyril James Ross, known as Muskrat to most, passed away on August 21, 2016, in Austin, TX. He was born in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, Mayes County on November 15, 1947. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Jessie Ross. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane Blair Ross, and her children, Don Delgado (Susan), Dianne Tanner (Marshall), Nancy Mathews (Stephen) and John David Delgado (Patricia). Grandchildren Natalie, Stephanie, Blair, Michelle, Gabrielle, Lilah, BeBe, Sydney, Emmi and Zachary will all miss their Papa Muskrat. He is also survived by his sisters Juanita ( Steve), Mavis, and brother Roy (Barbara), and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Muskrat was a proud veteran of the navy, serving in the Vietnam War with a band of brother friends, some of who preceded him, and many who are left to mourn the passing of one of their own. While he had no war time injuries, exposure to Agent Orange has been attributed to many of his ailments. The annual VAP 61 reunion will not be the same without him. Muskrat loved, life, his family, and family of friends. He always called his sisters on their birthdays. He had a passion for fishing, cars, cooking, and adventure. He was grilling fajitas before the Mexican restaurants were even serving them. He loved to talk, and rarely met someone who he couldn't talk to, about anything. He loved Jane dearly, enough to marry a divorce' with four kids to help raise, or simply to guide. And when grandchildren came along, he had a whole new audience to entertain. Muskrat was a master carpenter, and when a work injury sidelined him, he took up electronics, working at IBM, and then spent his last working years at Viking Fence. His wicked sense of humor and timing made some tame comments seem not so tame. He would get a gleam in his eye, and chuckle his unique chuckle; one that made you wonder what he was up to. He knew phrases in Vietnamese, Thai and Spanish that he mostly butchered. Many thanks to St.. David N Austin Medical staff and doctors who helped him his last few weeks on earth. We all had hopes that he was on the mend. Donations can be made in his honor to Cherokee Nation, and the Wounded Warrior Project. https://secure.cherokee.org/OnlineGiving/Donations/create https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org Services to be held at a future date, TBA. "Yo te Quiero" and "Sawadee" were two of his favorite sayings. He will be terribly missed, but never forgotten. A celebration of Cyril James Ross' life will be held on October 1, 2016 @ 1:30 pm at the Wells Branch Community Center located at 2106 Klattenhoff Drive, Austin, Texas 78728.