James “Jim” Michael Ross, 70, of Winchester, Virginia passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.
Jim was born in 1947 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of the late James and Elaine Ross. He graduated from John Handley High School in 1965 and then went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. After college Jim was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and was trained as a pilot. He then went on to pursue a career as a contractor and custom homebuilder for over forty years. Jim was an active member of the Winchester Community serving in many capacities. He was one of the founding members and the current President of Habitat for Humanity Winchester-Frederick-Clarke and also served as the Chairman of the Building Committee. For over 25 years Jim was an active volunteer for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. He was a former board member of the William and Henry Evans Home for Children as well as former board member of the Judges Athletic Association. He was also a devoted member of Braddock Street United Methodist Church where he was a former member of the Board of Trustees as well as active in mission work with ASP, Hurricane Relief, and many local community projects.
Jim was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather and was tirelessly devoted to his eleven grandchildren. He can be forever remembered for his love of faith, family, friends, and the outdoors. He held a very special place in his heart for animals, especially his dogs, Rocky and Rudy. Jim’s family said he was a true one-of-a-kind with a gentle spirit and big heart, and the greatest Virginia Tech fan…EVER. All who knew and loved him will dearly miss Jim.
Jim married Kay Franklin-Sprinkel on December 16, 1989 in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Surviving with his beloved wife are daughters, Laura Sprinkel Lund and her husband Geoff of Arlington, Virginia and Sarah Sprinkel Wheat and her husband Alex of Austin, Texas; sons, James Michael “Mike” Ross, Jr. and his wife Eugenia of Dunn Loring, Virginia and James Frederick “Jay” Sprinkel and his wife Katharine of Millersville, Maryland; eleven grandchildren, Ava, Emerson, Declan, Finlay, Silas, Madeline, Abigail, Catcher, Scout, Tillie and Eva with baby Poppy on the way; brothers, Thomas Norman Ross and his partner Yansong Dai of Springfield, Virginia and Richard Allen Ross and his wife Lizabeth of Sarasota, Florida; mother-in-law, Agnes Geanious of Winchester, Virginia, as well as many extended family members and close friends.
His parents and an older brother, Jeffrey Lee Ross, preceded him in death.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 20th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday, April 21st at Braddock Street United Methodist Church with Reverend Kirk Nave and Reverend Dr. John Peters officiating. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jim may be made to Habitat for Humanity-Winchester Chapter, P.O. Box 1653, Winchester, Virginia 22604 or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601.