| − | Ross was born in Baskin, a village in Franklin Parish, to Robert States Ross and the former Ruby Seymour (1911-2002), but he resided in Mangham most of his life. In 1951, he graduated from Mangham High School. In 1956, he obtained a bachelor of science degree, with a major in agriculture, from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]]. He was commissioned through Reserve Officers Training Corps as a second lieutenant in the [[U.S. Air Force]], served in the [[Vietnam War]], and was a major in the Air Force Reserves. After his military service, he returned to Mangham, where he engaged in a number of businesses, including the ownership of a mobile home park. | + | Ross was born in Baskin, a village in Franklin Parish, to Robert States Ross and the former Ruby Seymour (1911-2002), but he resided in Mangham most of his life. In 1951, he graduated from Mangham High School. In 1956, he obtained a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree, with a major in agriculture, from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]]. He was commissioned through Reserve Officers Training Corps as a second lieutenant in the [[U.S. Air Force]], served in the [[Vietnam War]], and was a major in the Air Force Reserves. After his military service, he returned to Mangham, where he engaged in a number of businesses, including the ownership of a mobile home park. |
| | Ross's stepfather was Terry Clingan (March 24, 1918–December 3, 2007), the Mangham town barber. After the death of Clingan's first wife, the former Vera Wallace, he married again in 1949 -- to Ross' mother. The marriage lasted fifty-three years until her death. Clingan was a master Mason and a deacon of the First [[Baptist]] Church of Mangham. Robert States Ross was killed in an accident in a shipyard in Galveston, [[Texas]], when Ross was a boy. | | Ross's stepfather was Terry Clingan (March 24, 1918–December 3, 2007), the Mangham town barber. After the death of Clingan's first wife, the former Vera Wallace, he married again in 1949 -- to Ross' mother. The marriage lasted fifty-three years until her death. Clingan was a master Mason and a deacon of the First [[Baptist]] Church of Mangham. Robert States Ross was killed in an accident in a shipyard in Galveston, [[Texas]], when Ross was a boy. |