WAMSLEY, ROSS    

As most would recall, Ross greeted people with, 'Howdy.' In honor of Ross, the family wants to say 'howdy' to all of Ross' extended family, friends and coworkers; and thanks everyone for their love and support.

Ross’ story began in November 1947, when Lester A. Wamsley and Evelyn (Halvary) Wamsley welcomed their last child, a strong, healthy baby boy into their family. Ross was baby brother to the self-proclaimed trouble maker, Robert 'Bob' Wamsley, and the decorated beauty queen, Marsha (Wamsley) Grange. As Bob attests, 'Ross learned quickly that on top of our parents being very busy with work, Marsha and I demanded a lot of attention. Ross had to become quite self-sufficient at an early age, and he developed a top-notch work ethic.'

The Wamsley family moved from Detroit to Birmingham and then to Traverse City by the time Ross was three-years-old. Traverse City provided a wonderful backdrop for Ross' formative school years and the development of his love of sports and the great outdoors. Lester, being quite an athlete himself, introduced Ross and Bob to golf at an early age. While Lester was busy on the road marketing his auto supplies, and Evelyn resumed her nursing career at Munson Hospital, Ross honed his golfing skills and met his lifelong best friend, Tom Billington, who would become the Tom Sawyer to Ross’ Huck Finn.

Tom recalls that a good indication and measurement of Ross’ self-sufficiency and independence was his various modes of transportation over the years. His first real ride was a two-speed, stick-shift Cushman motor bike that got him where he needed to go. He also enjoyed time on Tom’s fishing boat, which he kept anchored offshore from the Wamsley home. It was from there that Ross and Tom spent nearly every day exploring East Bay, from Acme to Elk Rapids, and from the state park to halfway up Old Mission Peninsula. Ross and Tom spent more than a few summers adventuring around the lake. Tom recounts, “There was also a Sunfish sailboat that belonged to one of Bob’s friends that we would borrow when Bob wasn’t around. It was evidently defective, because we were able to sail it directly east toward the drive inn theater, but the boat would not sail into the wind. We ended up walking it home along the shore. We decided we weren’t sailors.�

Like most kids in Traverse City in the 1960’s, Ross’ first paying job was picking cherries at fifty cents a lug (that’s a lot of cherries). A month of picking made Ross approximately fifty dollars to use for the summer. He soon realized he wasn’t a cherry picker either.

Upon graduating from Traverse City Central High School in 1965, Ross moved to a cabin on Long Lake with Tom and their good friend, Mike Nash. They took full advantage of being on the water again. Ross enjoyed water skiing and often talked about how he slalomed with ease on his first time up in the skis.

Once he turned 18, Tom got him a job at Shanty Creek Lodge in Bellaire as a bellhop. He rented a room with Tom, and at that early age he was fully independent and on his own. The only problem with turning 18 was that Uncle Sam had his eye on the strong, young men; and it wasn’t long before he came calling. Ross opted for a four-year career in the Navy. Tom jokes, “Perhaps it was so he could later sail a Sunfish.�

Ross was very proud of serving his country, as well as the many experiences he had during his years traveling out west and oversees with the Navy. He regularly spoke of all the musicians he saw live, including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. As many recall, Ross was a music aficionado and loved to quiz people about tunes that came on the radio. He could dissect a song and tell you practically each member of the band and what instrument they played.

After his stint in the Navy in 1972, Ross came home and began working at Traverse City Light and Power. He moved to Grawn with Tom and another good friend, Bob Karczewski, where they rode dirt bikes and terrorized the town. It was then that he became friends with David Ransom and Jim Vanderburg, who would become part of the group of best friends that Ross loved dearly, even though he probably never said it out loud.

A couple years later, Ross purchased ten acres in Traverse City and had a log home built. He wanted a small, one room house built for practicality, but with coaxing from his friends, he decided on a two bedroom home. He also landed a job with the Traverse City Fire Department, and formed bonds with his “brothers� that he treasured more than they will ever know. He was meant to be a firefighter.

By 1977, Ross and his group of best friends built a cabin on Drummond Island, where they spent time hunting, fishing, golfing, stirring up trouble, and making lifelong memories. Through the years Ross always looked forward to his trips to the cabin, and he spent as much time there as he could. He cherished his group of best friends, which would eventually grow to include Dick Hedderich and John Popa.

It was on one of their trips to Drummond Island that Ross met his match, the beautiful and intelligent, Jewel Tellefsen. It was a whirlwind romance, and the lovebirds always laughed at how quickly they decided to get married. After their marriage on Drummond Island, in May of 1979, life quickly changed for Ross, when eleven months later he was a proud father of two beautiful twin daughters. Andrea and Nicole were born in April 1980. Ross probably never imagined he would be a father so soon, but he took everything in stride and supported his family. On his days off he would take his kids fishing, mushroom hunting, and to watch him play in his men’s softball league. They will always remember riding around in his truck and listening to music.

As much as Ross loved music, he did not like to dance; however, one particular night at a party honoring Traverse City’s service men and women, Ross danced with Jewel after having a bit too much to drink. He told her, “I have the rhythm! I won’t have it tomorrow, but tonight I have it!�

In March 1986, the family welcomed an adorable baby boy into their lives. Ross was so proud of his son, Jacob, as he would grow to carry on the Wamsley name and traditions. On his days off from the fire department, Ross spent time with his kids and worked on a home addition to accommodate his growing family. Over the years he enjoyed watching his kids excel in sports and in school. He was a quiet but nurturing family man. He wasn’t demonstrative, but he was a gentle, loving, and proud father who will be forever remembered for his story telling and witty remarks.

In 2001, Ross retired as Captain of the Traverse City Fire Department. With his infallible work ethic, Ross quickly found a job expediting for Diamond Transfer, where he made even more friends that made a lasting impact on him. When he tired of the road, Ross joined the security staff at Munson Medical Center, and he spoke of his coworkers regularly. Ross spent his last four-and-a-half years working at Munson, as well as his last hours. Ross’ dedication to work is evident even after his death; because in his jacket pocket his family found eight awards for going above and beyond the call of duty, which he modestly tucked away without even mentioning them.

Although Ross was not one who displayed many emotions, it was obvious that it didn’t take much to make him happy. He was a quiet, pragmatic, uncomplicated man. He believed that life should be spent doing the things you enjoy with the people you love, and he always tried to do just that. Whether he was enjoying a meal with his family, spending time with his friends, canning produce with his wife, telling stories to his kids, or spending time outside, Ross enjoyed life his way, and touched the lives of many others while doing so.

Through the life of Ross Wamsley we are reminded that true happiness is not found in building wealth or in the accumulation of possessions, but that it is through lasting relationships and making others smile that we are richly blessed.

A loving husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Ross was a man of great character who saw the best in people and did not believe in complaining or rousing conflict. Ross’ work ethic, kindness, and sense of humor will live on the hearts and minds of all those whose lives he touched.

Ross H. Wamsley died unexpectedly on Monday, August 5, 2013. Ross is survived by his wife, Jewel (Tellefsen) Wamsley; twin daughters, Andrea Wamsley-Olson of Honor, MI, and Nicole Wamsley of Interlochen, MI; son, Jacob Wamsley of Traverse City; and siblings, Robert Wamsley of Traverse City, and Marsha (Ken) Grange of Tucson, AZ.; as well as several special nieces and nephews.

As Ross always said, 'So long,' Ross, you will be deeply missed and loved forever.

A celebration of Ross' life took place Saturday, August 17, 2013, at Almira Township Hall in Lake Ann, MI, where the family shared memories and uplifting stories of the man so many knew and loved. Cremation has taken place, and Life Story Funeral Home of Traverse City handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions were to be made to the Ross Wamsley Memorial Fund, which can be made at any Members Credit Union branch or online via PayPal to wamsleyfamilymemorial@gmail.com.
Posted By: Administrator - 01-03-2015
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