Robert L. (Bob) Ross passed from this life into the presence of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, on May 31, 2025. He was born on June 20, 1936, the son of Frank B. and Alta Eaton Ross of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Graduating from Ponca City High School in 1955, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1959 and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1963. OBU honored him with the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award in 1993 and the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree in 1996. On June 1, 1958 he married the love of his life, Maurine Mae Snow. To their union were born three sons: Mike, Roger and Rob. For twenty-two years he served as pastor of Baptist churches in Oklahoma and Texas, including Round Grove, Ponca City; Panola, Wilburton; Greenwood, Weatherford; Texas Calvary, San Antonio; First Baptist, Drumright; and Knob Hill, Oklahoma City. He also served on several occasions as chaplain of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma State Senate. In 1977 he joined the staff of the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma as vice president for communications. He was elected the Foundation's president in 1986 and served in this capacity until his retirement in April 2002. During his sixteen-year tenure, trust assets administered by the Baptist Foundation quadrupled, exceeding $200 million. He also served on the board of directors of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, the board of trustees of Oklahoma Baptist University, the Southern Baptist Convention Foundation and as the Association of Baptist Foundation Executives. In his retirement years, he preached as interim pastor of numerous churches in the central Oklahoma area, and also authored a history of Baptist work in Oklahoma, entitled "The Two Became One, and which was published in 2006 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Alta Ross and his sister Jeanette Rogers. He is survived by Maurine, his loving wife of 67 years; a son Mike and his wife, Debbie; a son Roger and his wife Debbie; and a son Rob and his wife Cheryl. He is also survived by six grandchildren: T.J., Troy, Taylir, Ryan, Toni, and Logan. He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren as well as nephews Jason and Jeff Oldham and a niece Jennifer Keel.

Those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so through the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma, the Robert L. and Maurine M. Scholarship Trust for students attending Oklahoma Baptist University. Mail donations to: WatersEdge 300 Johnny Bench Drive, Suite 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

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