October 2, 1934 – September 23, 2023  

Ross Eugene Tracy of Aldersgate, Charlotte, North Carolina passed away in Presbyterian Medical Center Hospice on Saturday. He was surrounded by all his family and loved ones in his final days.  

Ross was born in Quincy, Michigan, the youngest child of the late Elma and Luther Tracy. He had three older sisters, Erma Lou, Carol, and Phyllis whom he loved and teased in equal measure. In the mid 1930’s the family returned home to Three Rivers, Michigan, and because of Roosevelt’s New Deal, they were able to reclaim the house built by Ross’s maternal grandfather and dad, which they had lost in The Great Depression. He spent his growing up years developing a strong work ethic and a love of mechanics and electrics. His mother often said she was afraid to clean under his bed for fear of electrocution! He loved fishing and hunting and water skiing. In high school his passion for cars was kindled and he could repair and soup-up almost any vehicle. Ross and his friend, (later his brother-in-law) Darwin, raced their cars on country roads late at night. After graduation from high school, he left for Michigan Tech University in the Upper Peninsula, where he was planning to study engineering with the dream of someday designing cars. It was here that he felt God’s call to Christian ministry and after two years of studying at Michigan Tech, moved to Western Michigan University where in 1956 he received his BS. Then he proceeded to Candler School of Theology at Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia where he received his Masters in Divinity in 1959. Many years later he received his PHD in Theology from Christian Bible College and Seminary in Independence, Missouri. 

While at Emory, he met Memory Large, in the School of Theology Office where they worked. They started going out for fish dinners as friends in January 1959, and were married ten months later on October 17, 1959, in her home state of Alabama. A few years later their daughter Martha came along, followed by three sons - David, John, and Paul. He loved his family very much, and they loved him. 

Ross was ordained into the United Methodist Church and began his ministry in the West Michigan Conference in 1959, later he moved to the South Georgia Conference where he retired in 2002. That retirement lasted less than one month and he then served Union Chapel United Methodist Church in Albemarle (where his funeral will take place) until he retired a second time in 2013 at 78 years old. Ross’s sense of calling to ministry never left him and his passion for bringing others to know Christ was central to his life’s decisions and priorities. Even at the end of his life, as a resident in the Memory Unit at Aldersgate Retirement Community, he would drop by and read the Bible and pray with fellow residents who asked. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him, but we find peace in his final rest and in the blessed assurance in his Lord. 

Ross leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 64 years, Memory; children Martha Flavell (David), David Tracy (Kathy), and Paul Tracy (Merritt). In 2022, Ross was preceded in death by John Tracy (Melissa). He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Elinor Flavell, Georgia Flavell and Amanda Peters, Kyleen Dugan, Todd King and Phillip Tracy, Amanda Odom, Noelle Pierce and Jake Tracy, Cameron Tracy. There are also 10 great grandchildren.  

The celebration of Ross’s life will take place at Union Chapel Church, 24325 US-52, Albemarle, NC 28001 on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Viewing from 10am, service will begin at 11am, followed by the burial at the church cemetery, with food in the fellowship hall after. The service will be led by Rev. Monty Clark and Ross’ son-in-law, Rev. David Flavell. Memorial donations may be made to -Alzheimer’s Disease Research. Donate to Alzheimer's Disease Research (brightfocus.org) or mail donations to 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871