Donald Thomas Ross passed away on Thursday, October 15, after a brief illness. He was born in Jamaica, New York on June 11, 1926, to Annie and Donald Ross, as the youngest of their three children. Although he grew up in New York City, Don enjoyed spending summers in the countryside of Montreal where he learned to love horses and nature. He was especially proud of his years in the youth choir at his church.

Don graduated a year early from high school and enlisted in the Navy where he fought in the Pacific during World War II. He was inspired to join the service after his older brother, William, was killed in action on the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor.

While in the Navy, Don took leave in Astoria and thought that the Pacific Northwest was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. After being honorably discharged from the military, Don returned to school where he graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Architecture but he always remembered the beauty of Oregon and moved to Lake Oswego shortly after graduation.

Don was a well-known architect in the area and practiced for over sixty years. His focus was residential and commercial buildings and was involved with designing several hospitals. He became active in the Lake Oswego community, serving on the City Council, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross, Rotary, Historic Resources Advisory Board and many others.

Don was a lifelong learner and a true renaissance man. He studied classical guitar, enjoyed wood-carving, furniture-building, painting and could put anything together without looking at the directions. He enjoyed tutoring aspiring architects and he was passionate about working to preserve historical buildings. He could frequently be found in his studio, painting with watercolors while listening to classical music, a glass of red wine on the desk and his beloved dog at his side.

His greatest joy was his family and he created wonderful memories with his children as a soccer coach, teaching Art Literacy in schools, going on endless camping trips, and sharing his Scottish heritage. He delighted in teaching his grandchildren how to paint.

Don will be forever missed by his wife of 43-years, Beverly Ross, his children Dean (Gina) Ross and Margaret (Trevor) Lewis, as well as three grandchildren and many friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7, at 2 pm, at the Oswego Heritage House, 398 Tenth Street, Lake Oswego. Remembrances can be given in his name to the Christ Church Episcopal Parish of Lake Oswego or the Oregon Humane Society.