Mr. James “Allen” Ross

James “Allen” Ross, age 86, of Ocoee, Florida passed away  peacefully on June 16, 2023. Mr. Ross was born May 07, 1937 in  Orlando, Florida to the late Jack and Joyce Ross. He was preceded  in death by his famously adored brother, Bob Ross, “The Happy  Painter”. Allen is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sheila Ross;  daughter Stacy Oliver of Orlando; daughter and son-in-law, Ashley  and Jason Socha of Apopka; granddaughters Courtney Sava, Kalie  Oliver, Karlie Oliver, Morgan Socha, and Cassidy Socha; great grandson River; nephews Steve Ross of New Smyrna Beach and  Tommy Swindal of Alabama; as well as his long lost daughter  Catherine Zimmer and her husband Bob of Temecula CA, including  their 6 children and their 2 grandchildren. 

Mr. Ross was a proud Veteran, who served in the Navy for 4 years on  the USS Kenneth D. Bailey and was a member of the Blue Jacket  Choir. After working at Lockheed Martin for 10 years, Allen became  employed by the “Mouse” in 1971. He was one of the original cast  members at Walt Disney World and retired in 1995 after 24 years.  Following his retirement, he worked 10 years at FPIS. 

In his early years, he was a drummer in his band “The Fabulous  Romans”. He was an avid runner and cyclist, and he loved canoeing  on the Wekiva River. He enjoyed watching NASCAR races, as well as  football games as he was a major Green Bay Packer fan. With his  outgoing personality, his Disney buddies referred to him as the  “leader of the pack”. He was always the life of every party and he  loved to sing, dance and play his tambourine. 

Mr. Ross, a.k.a. Allen, Al, Dad, Dad #2, Papa, and Grandpa, deeply  loved his family. He had many friends and was always the first to lend  a helping hand. He was also an active member of Trinity Baptist  Church in Apopka for 35 years. With Allen it can truly be said, “A life  well lived is a blessing forever”.