Marvin Ross
July 13, 1935 - June 28, 2016

Marvin Ross lived a happy and healthy life from July 13, 1935 to his passing on June 28, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was 80 years old. Marvin was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He met the love of his life - Sondra - on a blind date set up by his best friend at a high school dance. It was love at first sight and they were happily married for over 61 years.
Marvin followed in his dad's footsteps in the shoe business by selling shoes at retail stores then becoming an executive at Louis Ostrov Shoe Company in Akron, Ohio in 1960. After fathering three boys he finally gave his wife what she wanted in Akron - a girl. In 1971 he realized his dream of owning a shoe store chain when he purchased the Pic-A- Pair discount shoe stores in Houston, Texas. He moved his family to Houston and has resided there ever since. He later partnered with a manufacturing plant in Mexico City and imported and sold the all-plastic "Jelly" shoes to the U.S. market before retiring at an early age after a successful career in the shoe business.

Marvin enjoyed life to the fullest. He and Sondra traveled the world taking vacations several times a year. They enjoyed their second home in La Costa, Calif., socializing with their many friends, entertaining at their homes and at restaurants and spending time with their extended family. He loved Frank Sinatra music, golf, football games, telling jokes and showing people a good time. He will be remembered for his "dad-isms"; making his sons laugh so hard they'd cry because of something he said or did.

Marvin is preceded in death by his parents Sam and Lena Rosenbloom and his in-laws Harry and Rose Schraber of Duluth, Minn. He is survived by his "little sweetheart" wife Sondra, his sons attorney Jeff Ross and his wife Tara, photographer Alan Ross and his wife Gwynne, financial advisor Steve Ross and his wife Ethy and his daughter business analyst Lisa Thoms and her husband Steve along with his grandchildren Scott Ross, Barbie Ross, Leanna Ross, Vanessa Ross, Greg Thoms, Andrea Thoms, Lori Saling and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to an Alzheimer charity or charity of choice.

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