Sergeant Major Albert Lee Ross, Jr., passed away on January 14, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Jo Ecord; daughter and son in law, Pamela and Petty Officer Shinosky; and son, Steven. Sergeant Major Ross was born on January 24, 1931 in Rich Hill, Missouri to the late Albert and Evelyn Ross.
He enlisted through the Marine Corp Reserve in May 1948 and received basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. He served at Mare Island until leaving for Korea in October 1950, where he was a was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. He was wounded on 8 June 1951 and evacuated to Yokosuka Naval Hospital in Japan. From September 1951 to April 1952, he served on the Marine Liasion Team at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. Returning to San Diego in May 1952, he was released from active duty.
He served with the Marion Corps Reserve in Kansas City, Missouri until 1956, when her returned to active duty with the 7th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. In August 1956, he went to Marion Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California as a Drill Instructor and remained until going to Okinawa in 1959, when he joined 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. Returning to CONUS, he served on Inspector - Instructor Duty in Mobile, Alabama before joining the 2d Force Reconnaissance Company at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In January 1966, he formed with the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton and arrived in Vietnam as a Company Gunnery Sergeant on 1 March 1966. In CONUS from May 1967 until April 1969, he was stationed at 29 Palms, California and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Returning to West PAC, he served as a First Sergeant at Marine Corps Base, Camp S.D. Butler, Okinawa and later with 3d MP Battalion in DaNang, Vietnam.
During 1970, he was First Sergeant of the Motor Tansport Schools at Montford Point, North Carolina. In December he left for London, England for 3 years as First Sergeant/Sergeant Major of the Marine Barracks. After a tour with VMGJ-1 at Iwankuni, Japan in 1974, he was assigned as MARTD, Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan. In July 1977 he was assigned as Sergeant Major of the Marine Detachment, U.s. disciplinary Barrachs, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
On 28 April 1981, Sergeant Major Ross assumed the post of Sergeant Major of III Marine Amphibious Force, 3d Marine Division. Sergeant Major Ross joined the Inspector-Instructor Staff, 24th Marines, Kansas City, Missouri in April 1982 and retired on 1 January 1984.
Sergeant Major Ross' personal decorations include; two Meritorious Service Medals, Naval Achievement medal, Purple Heart, Four Presidential Unit Citations, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and Navy and Marine Corps Parachute Wings.

Funeral services will be in the Rotunda at 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2017 at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, Tennessee, 38125, 901-543-7005. A reception will follow beginning at 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Robinwood Senior Resort, 2795 Kirby Whitten Parkway, Bartlett, Tennessee, 38134. Cards can be sent to Mrs. Phyllis Ross, 50 Quail Hollow Cove, Atoka, Tennessee, 38004.

Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, East has charge of arrangements.
901-382-1000