Lester Oliver Ross Jr., BHS 1947

Lester Oliver Ross Jr., BHS 1947

LESTER OLIVER ROSS, JR. Age 78, of Camarillo, California, much loved husband and brother, died September 6, 2007, at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital, in Camarillo. Les fought a valiant six-month battle with esophageal cancer, with quiet dignity and courage.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Alice, and a younger brother, Bruce. Les is survived by his wife of 29 years, Nelva; sister, Marilyn Patterson and her partner Richard McKee of Van Nuys; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ed and Wanda Costello of Camarillo and Lucian and Judy Bartoletti of Burbank. Les and Nelva have 12 nieces and nephews and nine great nieces and nephews.

Les was a native Californian born in San Diego and raised in Burbank. A 1947 graduate of Burbank Senior High School, he was drafted into the Army and served two years in the Korean conflict.

Les was an employee of Pacific Telephone and Telegraph for 38 years and retired as a PBX installation manager in 1982. He was asked by PT&T to return as a consultant, which he did for two years. He was an avid fisherman and rarely missed opening day at Lake Crowley.

However, his passion was deep sea fishing. A picture of Les and his 450-pound black sea bass hung at Cisco's Landing in Ventura for years with scores of those of other happy fishermen. He was one of the original members of the Valencia Men's Golf Club and later enjoyed a week-day membership at the Valencia Golf Country Club.

Les and Nelva lived over 20 years in the Santa Clarita area before moving to Camarillo in 1998. Nelva and her family wish to express their sincere thanks to all the friends, relatives and wonderful Las Casitas neighbors for their prayers.
A memorial will be held at a later dates. Arrangements for cremation will be under the direction of Conejo Mountain Funeral Home.

Published in Los Angeles Daily News on September 30, 2007