BARDWELL — Joe C. Ross, 89, of Bardwell, died at 9:55 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2013, at Lourdes hospital.

He was a member of Bardwell Baptist Church. He served in the US Army Air Force in WWII and was a life-time member of the American Legion and Disabled Veterans. He received a BS degree from Murray State University in agriculture and a MA degree from University of Kentucky in education and administration specialist. He also attended the University of Tulsa and taught veterans agriculture. He taught history at Cayce Elementary in Cayce, Ky.; was principal at Hickman Elementary in Hickman, Ky.; was superintendent at Trimble County Schools in Bedford, Ky.; and served as principal of Carlisle County Elementary School. He was a lifetime member of Kentucky Education Association and of the Parent Teacher Association and served as president of the 5th District Education Association in Louisville and the surrounding counties. He was a member of the Lions Club, Salvation Army, and past president of the Rotary Club. He served three terms as Mayor of Bardwell and was a 60 year member of the Masonic Lodge and Rizpah Shriners.

Mr. Ross is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Colson) Ross of Bardwell; his daughters, Cathy Ross Ahlvin and husband Mark of Sikeston, Mo. and Kim Ross of Louisville, Ky.; his son-in-law, Robert H Upton of Franklin, Tenn.; his grandchildren, Rob Upton and his wife Anne of Spring Hill, Tenn., and Lori Simmons and her husband Darin of Spring Hill, Tenn.; and his great-grandchildren, June Upton and Isla and Guy Simmons.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, JoAnn Ross Upton; two sisters; and three brothers. His parents were H.W. and Nina (Mardis) Ross.

Services for Mr. Ross will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 21, 2013, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Bardwell with the Rev. Rodney Bice officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: Shriners Children’s Hospital, 1990 Richmond Rd., Lexington, KY 40502-1204.

You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.