Noel James Ross, 74, Sebastian
Noel James Ross, 74, of Sebastian, was born in Kokomo, Ind., on Dec. 24, 1945, the son of Walter J. and Alene E. (nee Swingle) Ross. He passed away on Aug. 24, 2020, at William’s Child’s Hospice House, Palm Bay.
Noel graduated from Kokomo High school in 1964 and joined the army shortly afterward. He served his country for four years. Later he became an Air Traffic Controller.
He attained several pilot license ratings and was a certified flight instructor.
Noel was usually a reticent guy but in the late 1960s, he flew a small plane under Red Bridge that spans the Mississinewa Reservoir in Wabash County, Indiana. The plane’s N number was recorded by a witness. Since it was a rental aircraft, the pilot’s identity couldn’t be proven. Decades later Noel admitted that he was indeed the pilot.
In 1975, he married Brenda Collins and they had three children, Brian J. Ross, of Indianapolis, Ind., Jason N. (Angela) Ross, of Brownsburg, Ind., and Matthew D. Ross, of Saitama, Japan. They later divorced.
In April 15, 2004, in Gatlinburg, Tenn., he married Rosemary Cole Victor and she survives.
Noel retired form the Post Office in January 2005. He and Rosemary moved to Florida from Indianapolis in November of 2008.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Noel is survived by his children; a brother, Michael W. Ross, of Kokomo, Ind.; and sister, June (Larry) Barton, of Kokomo; grandchildren, Caleb Ross and Anna Ross; stepson, Paul Casey; and niece Joanna Bultman.
Visitation will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, at Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, followed by a Celebration of Life at Noon in the funeral home chapel.
Immediately following the service, the burial will take place at Sebastian Cemetery with Military honors conducted by the Sebastian Area Veterans’ Honor Guard.
