John Alan Ross

May 23, 1957 — August 06, 2026

John Ross

Service Details

John Alan Ross
May 23, 1957 – August 6, 2026
Altoona, Iowa – John Alan Ross, age 69, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026.
John was born on May 23, 1957, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to John and Mary “Marcie” (McVay) Ross. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1975, where he was recognized as a standout basketball and baseball player. In his early years, John worked at the Malzuma Inn and 63-80 Oil Company. He later dedicated over 30 years of loyal service to Principal Financial, retiring in 2019. John was also a man of quiet, impactful generosity, proudly donating an incredible 7 gallons of blood over his lifetime to help others.
An avid outdoorsman, John fully embraced his retirement years. He lived life with a spirit of adventure, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle across the country and successfully visiting all 48 continental states. He also held a deep appreciation for his home state, completing the unique milestone of visiting all 99 Freedom Rocks across Iowa. Whether he was cheering on his beloved Kansas City Chiefs or vacationing at Table Rock Lake, John found joy in the world around him.
Above all else, John cherished his family. His children and grandchildren meant everything to him. He was a deeply involved father and grandfather, attending every sporting event and never missing an opportunity to celebrate and support those he loved.
In keeping with his lifelong spirit of giving and helping others, John also chose to be an organ donor, offering the ultimate gift of life to those in need at the end of his journey.
John was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving daughters, Marcie (Chris) Hasty and Madison (Nicholas) Grochala; his sons, Bergan Ross and Briar Ross; his sister, Cheri (Fred Heinz) Ross; and his nine cherished grandchildren: Ethan (Chloe Brossard) Mitchell, Braden Hasty, Nathan Hasty, Logan Ross, Kinzy Ross, Bodie Ross, Baylor Ross, Jamie Ross, and Kamrynn Grochala.
A celebration of life will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Sandpiper Recreation Area, 7101 NW Polk City Drive in Polk City, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Condolences can be expressed online via Hamilton's Funeral Home.