Timothy Ross aka “TR”
1947-2025
Tim passed away unexpectedly at Cottage Hospital on Wednesday, October 22, from a heart problem. He was born Timothy King Ross on March 9, 1947, in Missouri, to parents Frank and Winniemae Ross. The family moved to Santa Barbara in 1961, residing on the Westside. He attended local schools and graduated from SBHS in 1965. He enlisted in the Navy and served his country in Vietnam as a Navy Seabee and received an honorable discharge. He was very proud of his service.
From an early age, he was interested in cars, hot rods, and surfing. He had a fascination with colors, both on cars and surfboards. In high school, he started working in the auto body industry. After returning from Vietnam, he tried refinishing furniture for a while and then decided to move to Hawaii to surf. When that adventure didn’t quite work out, he came home and started in the auto body and paint industry. He worked for several body shops, including SB Nissan, Torg’s Top Shop, Tony Cavalli, George Palomarez, and many more. A favorite story among his body shop friends was when he would blow off a car with air, and his hairpiece would often flap up and down. He then moved into the sales part of the industry and worked at The Color Wheel, Larry’s Auto Parts, and Central City. Somewhere in the middle of this, he went to cosmetology school, where he cut and styled hair for several years. He married Sandee in 1967 and had one son, Michael Aaron Ross. They divorced in 1971. Over the last 40 years, he resided in a house on the Westside with a succession of dogs and could often be seen walking his dog around the neighborhood. TR was always immaculately groomed and neatly dressed. He could be cantankerous at times, but lovable all the same.
He was predeceased by his son Mike, but is survived by a brother Taylor Ross, Chicago, his former wife, Sandee, Santa Barbara, and his 3 grandchildren, Payton, Ciara and Tanner, all of Santa Barbara, and his last dog, T-Rex. All will miss him.
He will be interred at Bakersfield National Cemetery on November 12th, with full military honors.
At his wish there will be no services.
Contributions in his memory can be made to KENNELS2COUCHES.ORG which is a Santa Barbara dog rescue.
