Ross A. Boggs, Jr.

Ross Allen Boggs, Jr., 86, passed away unexpectedly at home on February 6, 2025.

He was born on June 15, 1938, at his home in Lenox Township, Ohio, the oldest child of Ross and Ruth Evelyn (Spencer) Boggs, Sr.

Ross graduated from Andover High School and Kent State University and played in MLB Minor Leagues for the Washington Senators.

On February 25, 1956, he married Eleanor L. Daniels. He and Eleanor have been blessed with nearly 69 years of marriage; a marriage filled with love, friendship, and a lifetime of cherished memories.  They were also blessed with four children that made them the proudest parents on earth; and those four children went on to bless them with 11 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren whom they absolutely adored.  The happiness of being a grandparent was immeasurable and the joy those kids brought to their lives can’t be described with words.  Family was everything to Ross and Eleanor.

Ross lived a full and accomplished life that was centered around helping make the community he lived in a better place for future generations.  He started his career as a junior high school history teacher for the Pymatuning Valley School System, where he also was a football and basketball coach; in his retirement years he even served as the PV Athletic Director. He worked for a brief time at Rockwell Brake and then for 12 years he worked as a union heavy equipment operator in the engineers Local #18, working for Skidmore and Chah, a construction and excavation company.  And then for 16 years, he served the great State of Ohio as a member of the House of Representatives serving the second district from 1983 to 1992 and the fifth district from 1993 to 1999, during his final term he was made the   House Minority Leader.  Being elected to serve was something he was so proud of, and he always strived to do his best.  Some of the projects he was proudest of were: The Geneva State Park Lodge, the Pymatuning Lake Causeway parking project, The Ohio State University Grape Research Center, the Ashtabula County Airport project, the Glenbeigh Rehabilitation Center project along with so many other projects that made such positive impacts in the smaller communities of his district.

He was appointed to and elected to many different boards: he served on the Ohio Unemployment Compensation Revision Commission, he was an Andover Township Trustee, he was on the Ashtabula County Airport Board of Directors, and the Pymatuning Valley School Board.

He was a man of strong faith; he was a loyal and dedicated member of the Andover United Methodist Church.

He was lucky enough to be able to travel the world, which changed his perspective on life.  He was an avid Ohio State University football fan and enjoyed attending many home games and bowl games. He and Eleanor were also blessed to travel together and have spent winters in Florida together for the past 14 years.  They also enjoyed going on cruises with various family groups over the years.  He and Eleanor started the Red Barn Sweet Corn & Produce Market in 2001 and recently turned over the market to his grandson Randy and his family.  They enjoyed sitting outside and talking with the customers that had become part of the family.   

He also enjoyed playing cards, reading, golfing, flying his plane, riding the tractor around the property, and mowing the lawn; And at 8:00, Noon, and 5:00, like clockwork, you could find him sitting at a table enjoying a meal with family and friends.

He is survived by his loving family: His wife, Eleanor; his children: Robin (Debbie) Boggs, Leslie (Rebecca) Boggs, Shelley (Seth) Mason, and Sue (Verlin) Horn; his grandchildren: Nicki (Gary) Britton, Randall (Kristina) Boggs, Brett (Nichole) Boggs, Luke (Rose) Boggs, Frank Boggs, Gordon Mason, Jeremy Mason, Phillip (Kenzie) Mason, Courtney Horn, Emily (Grant) Vanderydt, and Zachary Horn; his great grandchildren: Kelsie, Emma, Maggie, Robbie, Raymond, Nolan, Lily, Audrey, and Willa; and his siblings: Barbara (Clint) Liezert, Robert (Judie Sylak) Boggs, and Ronald (Cheryl) Boggs. Ross was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard who passed in early childhood.

Services to celebrate Ross’ life WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 14, 2025  at the Andover United Methodist Church.  

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Boggs Legacy Fund: https://columbusfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5993

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