Michael Andrew Ross, age 73, of Frisco, Texas, passed away on May 5, 2020, in Frisco, Texas. He was born April 11, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, to Jane Carol (Reinach) and Raymond Paul Ross.
Mike is survived by his wife, Linda Gail Ross of Frisco, Texas; brother, Stephen Ross and wife Susie of Westlake Village, California; and nephews, Adam Ross of Camarillo, California and Jeremy Ross of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.
April 11, 1947, was a momentous day in Los Angeles not only because of Mike's birth but because that was the day The Apple Pan opened. It became one of his favorite places to go get a burger even as a kid with his parents and Steve and him in their pajamas. Anytime we were in that general vicinity we had to go get a Hickory Burger and banana cream pie. It had to be noted that the "Established April 11, 1947" appeared at the top of the menu.
Growing up in Los Angeles was a wonderful time for Mike as he and Steve shared old cars and got into all kinds of mischief. He periodically checked out their old home on Zillow to see what the current neighborhood looks like. He had so many wonderful memories that he loved to share. Riding bikes and playing little league baseball and later working on the bakery delivery truck and eating "cripples" (donuts that mysteriously got smashed or otherwise not presentable to customers). Mike had wonderful memories of the love that his parents and grandparents had for him and Steve. They all died too young and that made a lasting impression on how Mike lived his life. He was determined not to waste a minute of the time he had since genetics convinced him that he would also have a relatively short life. He didn't want to waste time with people who didn't have similar values and made deep, if not numerous, friendships. If Mike was on your side, you had a champion for life.
With both of his parents gone by 1978 Mike decided to go to Mammoth Lakes, CA to spend a ski season and figure out what was important in life. As fate would have it, the main local attorney in town had recently been killed in a plane crash and that left a void that Mike ended up filling. He stayed in Mammoth for about 6 years before suffering through one the worst blizzards on record. He had finally had enough snow and small town life and packed up and went to Palm Desert and Lake Tahoe and toured New England. He finally got bored with his sabbatical and headed back to L.A. to start the next chapter of his life. Not long after starting to work at Advanced Savings Mike made the acquaintance of Craig, his "buddy 'o mine". They had an instant bond of friendship that has never been stronger. Not much later, he also met Gail, the love of his life. Though she was wary of a relationship at first, due to a broken heart, he wore her down and showed her what a loving, caring, and thoughtful man he was and had the patience to let her learn to trust him. Over almost 32 years of marriage they had many wonderful adventures in travel to England, Germany, Italy, Hawaii, Vienna and Prague as well as the Grand Canyon just last fall. Though they never had children, Gail taught Mike that "furry kids" were also a wonderful part of life. He doted on his Charlie and before that Harley. Mike also was extremely proud of his two nephews who he had the privilege of seeing become wonderful family men with gorgeous wives and little ones.
Mike loved golf and cars and movies and coffee and cooking healthy recipes and reading Michael Connelly novels of Harry Bosch. Anything he loved, he loved obsessively! Lists, files, videos and endless research went along with whatever his love of the moment became. If he was going to do something he did it all the way!
Michael is gone much too soon and he leaves a huge hole in the hearts of all who loved him. But he lived his life without compromise and loved with his whole being. He will be sorely missed.