June 20, 1941 — Oct. 29, 2007

Leon D.ROSS , 66, of Longmont died Oct. 29, 2007, at his home after a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Ross was born June 20, 1941, in Longmont to Frank and Maree (Sorenson) Ross. He married Mary Jane Rademacher on May 21, 1966.

He graduated from Longmont High School in 1960. After high school, he attended the General Motors Training Center in Denver, beginning a lifelong career in the automotive industry.

Mr. Ross worked as a mechanic for Hajek Chevrolet from 1960 to 1966 and then in numerous positions at McCaddon Oldsmobile Cadillac in Boulder, from 1966 until his retirement in 2005.

He entered the United States Coast Guard in 1964 and served as a sonar man in Alaska. He was honorably discharged in 1970.

Leon was a proud and devoted husband, father and friend. He is survived by his wife; three children, Douglas F. Ross of Berkeley, Calif., Nikkol M. Brothers of Pecos, N.M., and Dennis A. Ross of Fort Collins; and two grandchildren, Ethan and Justin Ross of Fort Collins. His grandsons were his greatest joy. He also is survived by two sisters, Jean Evans of Longmont and Lois Roberts and her husband John of Cheyenne, Wyo.

Leon always had a joke or a kind word for others. His good nature and willingness to help out anyone in need made him the trusted friend of everyone he met.

A Broncos season ticket holder for 35 years, Leon loved to attend and watch all kinds of sporting events. In 2005, he and Mary Jane traveled to Canton, Ohio, to see John Elway be inducted in the NFL Football Hall of Fame.

Working on cars was a hobby as a well as a career for Leon. He restored his mother’s 1953 Chevrolet pickup, and he and Mary Jane enjoyed attending hotrod runs and car shows with their friends. They loved to take the “53” or Mary Jane’s 1941 Chevy roadster cruising on the weekends.

Leon enjoyed fishing, camping and hiking with his many friends and family. He instilled a love of the outdoors in his own children and the youth of Longmont. He received a Boy Scouts District Award of Merit for outstanding service in 1993.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Mary Lorene Cleveland of Longmont.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with the Rev. Brian Morrow celebrant. Cremation will follow services at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory.

A celebration of Leon’s life will follow the service at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 Ken Pratt Blvd. in Longmont.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Leon D. Ross to HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette CO 80026; or the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Renal Cell Cancer Research (send checks to University of Colorado Cancer Center — CIC, 1665 N. Ursula St., Mail Stop F700, P.O. Box 6510, Aurora CO 80045). Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel .com to leave condolences for the family.