Wilbur Ross Moore Jr

W. Ross Moore, Jr. died on Monday, May 24, 2021.  He was born, the oldest child, to Martha Hurt Moore and Wilbur Ross Moore, Sr. on September 27, 1947, in Austin, Texas.  His siblings included Steve (died 1975), Kathy Moore (Dave Cavanaugh) and Sara Moore (Cindy Jones).  He left behind nephews Travis Fears (Tiffany) and Paul Fears (Christa) and his great-nephews and niece, Wyatt and Avery Fears and Maggie Fears. 

Ross grew up in Midland, Texas.  He was an active participant in Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and high rankings in the Order of the Arrow.  He worked at Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch for many summers with his brother Steve, keeping the camp store in order while Steve ran the waterfront activities.  In 1963, Ross attended the Boy Scout International Jamboree in Athens, Greece, traveling across Europe with scouts from all over the world. 

Only 15 months apart in age, he and Steve participated in many of the same activities.  They were lifeguards at Ranchland Hills Country Club, members of Scout Troop 126, on the Lee High School swim team and members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.  In later years, Ross was an integral part of the church upkeep, showing up to help with repairs on a daily basis.

At Lee HS, Ross was a member of the swim team and the National Honor Society.  After graduating from Lee HS, Ross attended and graduated from the University of Texas - Austin with degrees in Sociology and Psychology.  He continued to earn a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, working for the state of Texas as a Rehabilitation Counselor.  Ross was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity in college and swam on their intramural team, winning the university team title.

Eventually, Ross returned to Midland and worked in the oilfield for Geosearch, acting as a permit agent and later, crew manager.  In his years in Midland, Ross became the go-to guy for the members of the Midland Woman’s Club, of which his mother was an officer. He did repairs, ran errands and generally was everyone’s son in that group.  

Ross never married, but instead was the favorite uncle, the one who bought Paul and Travis their first Nintendo over Kathy’s mild objections.  He went camping and fishing with his nephews and took them target shooting.  “Unkie Ross” was always there for the boys.  

In 2018, Ross moved to Legacy in Lubbock, where he created a new family of friends.  They laughed at his jokes, took loving care of him and tolerated his Longhorn T-shirts in the heart of Red Raider territory.

The family will have private burial services at a later date.  Donations may be made to the Boy Scots at the Buffalo Trail Council, Inc. 567 at 1101 Texas Avenue, Midland, TX 79701.

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