James C. Ross, 55, of Horsecreek Road in Seneca, died at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2014 at his home following an illness.

Born February 3, 1959 in Franklin, he was the son of Glenn Theron Ross, Sr. and Martha J. (Brannon) Ross.

He attended Oil City High School and served for a brief time in the U.S. Army.

In his earlier years, he attended services at the Salvation Army.

When he was a teenager, he hiked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, with the program, Outward Bound. Jim enjoyed music of all kind, watching the Steelers, going fishing and camping, and his dogs, Jasper and Liz. He also enjoyed going on ‘truck trips’ with Greg and Paul. He especially enjoyed spending time with his brother and best-friend, Rick; and his sister, Kris.

He managed Quaker State gas stations in the area, and was also employed at the Piano Factory in Seneca.

On July 4, 1998 he married the former Debra J. Greene, and she survives. They were happy to have celebrated their marriage in a double wedding ceremony that day with their special friends, Bob and Judy Klawuhn.

Also surviving are his parents, Glenn and Martha Ross; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tom and Jo Greene; his siblings: John L. Ross and wife Debra, Terry Ross, Betsy Thieme and her companion, David Lee, Ricky Ross, and Kris Christo and her husband Steve.

Additionally, he is survived by a sister-in-law, Cathy Ross; a brother-in-law, Mike Greene and his wife Yvonne; an uncle, Bill McQuiston; an aunt, Bonnie Jean Sacco; numerous nieces and nephews including Cassie, Steve, Richie, and Charlie; and two very special people in his life, Angel Hepler and Joe Goodman.

Jim was greeted in Heaven by his brother, Lanny Ross; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Sue” Ross; his aunt Florence W. Chambers; his uncle Marshall T. Ross, Jr.; his long-time companion, Phyllis Goodman; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Friends will be received Tuesday (July 8) from 4-7 p.m. and Wednesday (July 9) from 10-11 a.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. A funeral service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held in the funeral home Wednesday at 11 a.m. , with the Rev. David Oester, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Oil City, officiating.

The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the V.N.A. hospice team for providing care and compassion during their time of need.

Memorial contributions may be made to the V.N.A. Hospice, 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin PA 16323; or to the Venango County Humane Society, PO Box 1045, Oil City, PA 16301.

Condolences may be submitted to the family online by visiting www.hilebest.com.