"I am very sorry to hear of Ross passing. He was a high school classmate of mine. I am sure his faith was a great comfort to him. May God, family and friends be there to comfort you in this hard time. Karen Valjack "
In loving memory of
Ross Alan Moog
November 4, 1959 - May 2, 2018
Hardworking, teasing, and Christian are just a few words that comes to mind when thinking about Ross Alan Moog. He was a well put together man who had a strong faith and a strong worth ethic. With a unique sense of humor, you knew that you were "in with him" by the effort he put in to teasing you in a loving way.
With Alaska becoming the 49th and Hawaii the 50th state, 1959 had many historical moments. NASA introduced America's first astronauts to the world including John H. Glenn Jr, and Alan Shepard Jr. and the U.S.A. launched the first weather station in space. The popular TV programs that year included Rawhide, Bonanza and The Twilight Zone. The Boeing 707 jet airliner came into service and Mattel launched their Barbie Doll line. On November 4th, the biggest news for William and Doris (Barnes) Moog was them welcoming a baby boy by the name of Ross Alan when he was born at Whitley County Memorial Hospital in Columbia City.
Ross spent the first several years of his life growing up in the family house located on Market Street and the last part of his childhood on Oak Street after his grandparents sold their home to his parents. From an early age, he loved animals. As a young boy he enjoyed all sports and played on a little league baseball team that his dad coached. He also enjoyed going to root on the Fort Wayne Komets hockey team.
After graduating in 1978 from Columbia City Joint High School, Ross had the inspiration of becoming a pastor. Although he grew up attending Grace Lutheran Church, he chose to move to Nashville and attend the Freewill Baptist Bible College while he worked at a local lumber company. He left Nashville and moved back to Indiana and lived in Roanoke. He took a job that he was proud of with U.S. Airways. With his love of airplanes, the job suited him well. He spent 16 years with the company and would eventually be transferred to Alabama.
While living in Alabama, Ross was out one evening to Hoppers. He was out on the dance floor when Rhonda (Eakes) Mabie spotted him in his yellow shorts and Hawaiian shirt. After the two danced, they started seeing each other on a regular basis and on July 9, 2004, they were married in Huntsville. Along with becoming a husband, he also became a dad and welcomed three young ladies into his heart, Amanda, Brittany and Brooke.
Ross and his family enjoyed their times together driving to Georgia to go to the theme park, Six Flags Over Georgia. He enjoyed watching golf, hockey and cheering for his family's favorite team of the Chicago Cubs. One of his favorite meals was to cook up a big batch of his chili. There always was debate, but everyone enjoyed his addition to his chili of having macaroni in it.
Over the last several years Ross had been a manager at a few local restaurants but with his health declining, he had to make the hard and unwanted decision to retire. He always had hopes of getting back into the airline business but was never able to so he spent his time enjoying being with his wife, their cat and dog.
Ross Alan Moog, 58, of Madison, Alabama, passed away at 2:42 p.m. on Wednesday May 2, 2018 at the Huntsville Hospital.
Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Rhonda Moog; step-daughters, Amanda (Justice) Haggard, of Pensacola, Fla., Brittany (Brad) Yarbrough, of Madison, Ala. and Brooke (Chandler Jones) Mabie, of New Market, Ala.; mother, Doris Moog, of Columbia City; sister, Mary (Tony) Pawloski of Coldwater, Michigan, Janet (Phil) Shidler, of Coldwater, Michigan, Andrea (Tom) Barker, of Pierceton and Judy (Rick) Horn, of Peoria, Arizona; brother, Craig Moog, of Columbia City; nieces, Jennifer (Chris) Stempien, of Coldwater, Michigan and Abby Weiss, of Columbia City; and nephews, Matt (Karrie) Matevia, of Coldwater, Michigan, Brian (Nicole) Shidler, of Coldwater, Michigan, Ryan (Regina) Sollazzo, of Phoenix, Arizona and Michael (Jamie) Weiss, of Fort Collins, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Moog and brother-in-law, Philip Shidler.
Funeral services for Ross will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday May 10, 2018 with calling two hours prior at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Memorial contributions in memory of Ross may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.
Tributes
"I?m so sorry to hear of Ross? passing. May you feel the love of family & friends in the days to come. Knowing Ross? faith, you must know that he is now in his heavenly ?home?. ??? Karla Hazen Hart"
"We grew up living next to Ross. He was a part of our neighbor hood gang. Our sincere condolences to his family. Craig Jones Paige Jones Harvey"
"May God give you strength in this time of grief and fond memories of Ross Alan Moog, CCHS Class of 1978. The Alumni of CCHS extends sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to Ross's family. www.cchsaa.org per TLG"
"Ross and I grew up together. He?s dad coached my first little league team. It was T-Ball and our team was the Bulldogs. Ross played first base. We both had a passion for sports and I got to enjoy going with the Moogs to see the Cubs and White Sox. Ross and I played sports together: bowling leagues, golf (which I?m still terrible at), hockey, sandlot baseball, football, track and sometimes just shooting baskets. About as soon as I got my Driver?s License we began going to sporting events. I did most if not all the driving. He and I were at the Norte Dame/Purdue game when ND?s quarterback got injured and someone named ?Joe Montana? step in and won the game for the Irish. We went to see the Cubs and watch Dave Kingman hit a homer over the center field wall. Fort Wayne Komet Hockey will be the most I remember of Ross. I think what drew us together, we both enjoyed Hockey. Back then there were not many Hockey fans in Columbia City. We attended more games than I can count. We always sat in Section 28 because that?s where the ?crazy? fans sit and that was where we wanted to be. As time went on, Ross and I went our separate ways, but he was big part of my childhood along with his family. I was blessed to have his friendship. To his family, I?m sorry for your loss. He had a big impact in drawing me to God and to strive for a life with Christian values. I will say though, he was definitely a teaser. Roger Grable"
"I worked with Ross at Burger Chef in Columbia City in 1975 or 1976. Everyone there liked him. He was great."
"I?m so sorry to hear of the passing of Ross. I worked ?beside? him in FWA, with Northwest Airlines. He was funny and always had a kind word for everyone. He will be missed. Prayers for his family. Linda Romines"
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "