Last week I mentioned my Grandfather, Milo James Ross, preparing a Power of Attorney. This week I share the Last Will and Testament he executed the next day, 2 June 1943. Camp Clipper, near Needles, California, was a harsh environment to help train soldiers. It was here, the day after, he signed this document for what might need to be done should the War take his life. Fortunately for him and his family, it didn’t take his life for another 71 years. Although he lived with the shrapnel and effects of the War until the relief of death took him to the next stage of our eternal journey.
Last Will and Testament of Milo James Ross, page 1
Last Will and Testament of Milo James Ross, page 2
Notes on the witnesses.
Charles Edward Witham, born 12 October 1918 in Pisgah, Morgan, Illinois. Married in 1958. Died 10 March 2009 at age 90 in Jacksonville, Morgan, Illinois.
Frank Fancher or Faucher, unable to find anything on this person. Nothing quite adds up for Cudahy or that name.
William Luther Mills, born 14 March 1918 in Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina. Died 12 June 2001 at age 83. He is buried in Anderson, Anderson, South Carolina.
For Memorial Day this year, I ask you to consider a thought. As 1 June 2023 approaches, what will you be doing? What will you be dreaming about, who will you be missing, what will you be dreading? I take you back 80 years to 1 June 1943.
Milo James Ross found himself enlisted in the United States Army. Dreaming of his new bride far away at 629 8th Street in Ogden, Utah. Missing his family and his son who will be born on Independence Day in just over a month. Missing the blessed Wasatch mountains of Weber County, Utah. Dreading what might be coming in the war against Germany and Japan. Waiting for his next assignment, but until then enduring the heat of San Bernardino County, California.
On that date, Milo James Ross prepared this document for the future. Hopeful that the future only required a Power of Attorney, not a Last Will and Testament. But with the sober reality he might not be competent to act either.
Another interesting insight into this document. Typewriter prepared, yet handwritten in for the specifics. That person who prepared this document, how many of these were typed up that day? Were they done in duplicate? What type of precision existed to type these time after time again with virtually no mistakes? What type of service would you have rendered in the War? Were you raising the flag on a chateau after a battle or typing Powers of Attorney? Were you cooking the food or making the clothes? Were you building the Jeeps or scouring the battlefields for remains? All just as necessary, but only a few more prestigious and recognized.
What will you do this Memorial Day that pushes forward the work of mankind for the better? What will you do this month that serves your Nation and State? Are you thinking of others and pushing for the work or just resting on the labors of others? How will you further Freedom?
While we remember the dead, we need take encouragement and strength from their Sacrifice. Pick up and go to work.
Brandon Woolf, McCord Larsen, Paul Ross with Idaho State Capitol
This year I was more involved in the legislative process than in the past. There were a few bills I was particularly interested and closely involved. I even helped write a few.
On 3 March 2023 I traveled to the Idaho State Capitol with my friend and Cassia County Prosecutor McCord Larsen to testify on a particular bill related to Public Defense. While there, we took the opportunity to make a number of other calls and visits in addition to the legislators/legislative. This photo comes from one of those visits.
Brandon Woolf is the Idaho State Controller. More importantly he is my friend. He is always out and about in visiting communities and friends. I have run into him in Preston, Soda Springs, Malad, Burley, Rupert, and Boise. Not only do I respect and honor this friend, our families have been friends for generations. Brandon is from Preston, where my Andra, Nuffer, and Wanner lines are all from. I have ran into Brandon at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, the Rodeo Days Parade (also in Preston), and even the Independence Day Breakfast in Preston. It has been a small world and an oddity that I run into this guy as much as I do.
He took us through and shows us the new Transparent Idaho website. He is pretty excited for this website to continue to be rolled out and outfitted with all information for Idaho government. That is not just state, but every taxing district from cities, to counties; from cemetery districts to school districts.
The highlight was catching up between old friends (and Aggies). For the occasion, we snapped this photo from Brandon’s office. Somehow it seems enchanting. My beloved state, a phenomenal Idaho Constitutional Officer, friendship, and a beautiful Capitol. My experience with Idaho is that we are in good hands.
As for the legislation we were working on that day, well it was a disappointment. Representatives Weber and Cannon apparently were more interested in passing a bill than getting it right. We have tons of clean-up, which is always harder the second or third year than at the beginning. I have many, many reservations on the bill generally and don’t think it cannot be cleaned up but for a rewrite. But they didn’t care about that either. For a state that is independent, local control, and willing to do things different, this bill flew in the face of all that. It centralized power, removed local stakeholders, consolidated processes, ignored processes, and all at the same time wildly underfunded. I hope I am wrong, but I think it will get worse before it gets better.
Other bills were introduced too late and didn’t get too far. Others passed through unmarred and become clarifying law. The updates of bankruptcy related law all seem to have failed. But we will try again next year. Too bad it does not pay, it is hard doing all this on your own dime and sacrificing your gainful employment.
We were able to do lunch with our local Representative Clay Handy and visit with Representative Doug Pickett. Senator Kelly Anthon was kind enough to introduce us and welcome us from the Senate floor. We were unable otherwise to meet up with him.
Idaho is still small. I hope we do not lose the small state legislature, the gentleman’s creed, and the ability to do business. Please like Brandon keep hope in government when it is sometimes hard to keep hope in such a process.
Amanda and I were married in the Logan Temple on 20 December 2005. Anyone who knows me knows I have an affinity for the temple. Poor Amanda married to that affinity. Before we moved back to Virginia in 2006, we (mostly me) set a goal to attend all 11 temples in Utah. This is somehow humorous now that there are many more dedicated, announced, or under construction in Utah.
Manti, St. George, and Salt Lake are currently being updated, Ogden was rebuilt, Monticello expanded, and Jordan River updated. Provo is slated for a rebuild. Logan isn’t probably far behind for a full update (hopefully a restoration that is far past due).
So, in 2006, there were 11 temples in Utah; Bountiful, Jordan River, Logan, Manti, Monticello, Mt Timpanogas, Ogden, Provo, St George, Salt Lake, Vernal.
Logan Utah Temple, 17 December 2005, the day Amanda received her endowment.
Manti Utah Temple, 18 March 2006. This day I sealed my Great Uncle Harold Ross to his first wife, Colleen Hancock.
Salt Lake City Utah Temple, 22 March 2006.
Provo Utah Temple, 27 April 2006.
Mt Timpanogas Utah Temple, American Fork, 27 April 2006.
Bountiful Utah Temple, 6 May 2006.
St George Utah Temple, 12 May 2006.
Jordan River Utah Temple, South Jordan, 30 May 2006.
Monticello Utah Temple, 10 June 2006.
Vernal Utah Temple, 10 June 2006.
Ogden Utah Temple, 24 June 2006.
We hit all 11 in 2005 and 2006. As of my writing this, 7 May 2023, there are 28 temples now in Utah, announced, under construction, in renovation, or dedicated.
In 2006, we also hit the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri.
Independence Missouri Temple of Community of Christ, 1 July 2006.
In 2020, the Ross Family took a trip through the Pacific Northwest. Our first stop was the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone! We left Burley, Idaho about noon and headed out for a longer than week road trip.
Hiram and Aliza Ross at Grand Prismatic Spring, 31 July 2020
Aliza, Lillian, Hiram, and James Ross waiting for Old Faithful, 31 July 2020
We arrived for Old Faithful, but it was going to be another hour, so we wandered Geyser Basin to kill some time.
Castle Geyser, 31 July 2020
We took the Upper Geyser Basin Trail and Upper Geyser Hill Trail
Old Faithful proved true to her name!
Aliza, Hiram, Lillie, and Amanda Ross with Old Faithful in the background, 31 July 2020
That night we stayed in Lake Village.
Mud Volcano is a popular stop and one I remember as a kid, 1 August 2020
Aliza, James, Lillie, and Paul Ross at Dragons Mouth Spring, 1 August 2020
Bison Herd at Yellowstone, 1 August 2020
The world famous Lower Falls in Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, 1 August 2020
Even a selfie, Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross, 1 August 2020
Another picture of the Yellowstone Grand Canyon from further down stream, you can see the top of the Lower Falls, 1 August 2020
James, Amanda, Lillie, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at Mammoth Hot Spring, 1 August 2020
Hiram Ross at Mammoth Hot Spring, 1 August 2020
Mammoth Hot Spring, Yellowstone National Park, 1 August 2020
The kids were worn out after a long day and we were then spending the night in Bozeman, Montana. We made our trip out of the park and to Montana to the C’mon Inn where we crashed for the night. The kids liked the Coy.
Aliza and Lillian Ross watching fish in Bozeman, Montana
You can read out about our visit the next day to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.
Paul – Married in a small private ceremony at the home of the bride’s mother in Paul were Jackie Jonas of LaGrande Ore., and William Francis “Willie” Melycher of Spirit Lake, Idaho. The cemerony, performed at 7 p.m. by Bishop Ronald Nielsen of the Paul LDS Second Ward, was held on July 23 at the home of Colleen A. Jonas, 575 W. 50 S., Paul.
The bridegroom is the son of William Francis “Red” Melycher, Newtown, Conn.
The bridge, given in marriage by Douglas Norwood Jonas of Anchorage, Alaska, wore a gown made by Joyce Miller, fashioned in the full length of white lace with white satin robbon bow around the neck and a cumberbund. Her mesh headdress was enhanced on each side with strands of flowers and beads. Her flowers were gardenias and white roses.
Matron of honor was Sandy Jonas Ross; the flower girl was Andra Ross; ringbearer Paul Norwood Jonas Ross; and the best man Milo Paul Ross.
The bride’s colors were turquoise, aquamarine and teal, with decorations by Patty’s. Candelabra was furnished by Alice Cannon. Pianist was Susan Neibaur.
Cindy Hotchkiss made the three tiered wedding cake, decorated in the bride’s colors and floral accents of gardenias, white roses, and greenery. Colleen A. Jonas cut and served the cake.
Others assisting were Sergene Sorenson and Rae Smith.
The couple traveled to Newtown prior to the wedding.
The bride, a graduate of Burley High School and Boise State University, is a brakeman for the Union Pacific Railroad at LaGrande; and her husband is a graduate of Henry Abbott Technical in Danbury, Conn., and is chief ultrasonic rail inspector for Dapco Industries, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn.
Back (l-r): Milo and Sandy Ross, Willie and Jackie Melycher, Doug Jonas, Colleen Jonas, Brook Jonas; Front: Paul and Andra Ross
Minico technology students recently attended state competition. Pictured with their winning plaques and dreamhouses are (back, l-r) Instructor Marvin Scow, Paul Ross; (front, l-r) Brian Addis, Rachel Fennel, Aimee Aston, Kody Rathe, and Justin Coleman.
Minico technology students compete in state competition
By Dixie Lee Souza
The Minico Technology Student Association attended the state competition at Eagle High School March 7-9.
The students from Marvin Scow’s class did very well at the meet with the Dreamhouse Division. Justin Coleman and Kody Rathe placed first and Brian Addis took second. The students were presented with two plaques for their scale model homes complete with floor plans.
Competing in Architectural Drawing was Rachel Fennell, Aimee Aston, Nicholas Fletcher and Paul Ross.
In Extemporaneous speaking was Rachel Fennel and Aimee Aston. Again, Rachel Fennell along with Paul Ross placed in Job Interview.
Aimee Aston placed in Prepared Speech while Justin Coleman, Glade Boldt and Kody Rathe competed in Technical Drafting.
The Idaho Skill Championships will be held at Lewis-Clark State College on March 29-30.
The only thing I think I would add is that I remember this competition in the brand new high school in Eagle, Idaho. We got a tour of the new building. It was pretty shiny compared to our little Minico High School in Rupert, Idaho.
Logan Tabernacle looking north on Logan Main Street
This photo was shared on a social media website a time back. It struck me. The Cache County Courthouse cupola on the left and the Logan Tabernacle on the right.
I previously shared comments of memories in this tabernacle. Here are some of those comments.
The Logan Tabernacle is where I attended Stake Conference for all the years I attended Utah State University. I graduated from Logan Institute of Religion in this building. I recall Dad pointing out that my hair was getting thin from his vantage point on the balcony. I was sustained in this building and spoke at a Stake Conference. I sat at the feet and heard the teachings of H. David Burton and Vaughn J. Featherstone, as well as our own Stake Presidency, Thomas Cherrington, James Jenkins, and Roger McEvoy. I still remember some of their talks. I recall entertaining visiting British guests, like the Byroms and Gores, in this building. Moreover, this building had historical significance to the area and my own ancestors in the valley.
Logan Tabernacle July 2020, Aliza Ross on the right
