Ross Edward Renfro, 78, of Dayton, Texas, passed away on Nov. 27, 2024, in Kingwood, Texas. He was born on March 20, 1946, the first day of spring, in Houston, Texas, to Maddox Harry Renfro and Helen Avola Benson.
Ross graduated from South Houston High School in 1964. After graduation, he worked alongside his family at the Rainbow Cafe in Pasadena before beginning a long and successful career at Bayer in 1971, where he worked for 37 years before retiring. Ross lived much of his life in Dayton, with a 15-year period in Trinity, before returning to Dayton in his later years.
A devoted member of Tarkington Prairie Church, Ross was known for his love of the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing at East Bay during the winter months and at Rayburn during the summer, and hunting was another passion of his. However, his true favorite pastime was playing golf. In addition to his love of sports, Ross had a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. He spent many hours doing leatherwork, making knives, and woodworking, creating beautiful bowls, pens, and pencils.
Ross’s adventurous spirit led him to travel the world, including trips to Germany, France, Spain, and an extended stay in China for work with Bayer. He often spoke fondly of his time in China, particularly enjoying the food.
Ross was preceded in death by his parents, Maddox and Helen Renfro, his sister, Janet Marie Jett, and his brother, Paul Richard Renfro. He is survived by his wife of 7 years, Carolyn Renfro, his son, Ross Edward Renfro, Jr and wife Brandi, his daughters, Shelley Annette Dewey and husband Billy, Tracy Lynn Bice and extended family, Michael Andrew Jannise and wife Destiny, Holly Amanda Berry and husband Johnny and Julie Truesdell and husband David. He also is survived by his sister, Donna Kay Derry and 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren with one on the way, along with 7 extended grandchildren and 1 extended great-grandchild and one on the way.
A visitation for Ross will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, also at Pace Stancil in Dayton at 10:00 a.m. with a burial to follow at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023 at 12:00 p.m. Pallbearers for Ross will be Edward Madox Renfro, Matthew Kabin Renfro, Porter Yarbrough, Gavin Slade Broadway, Mark Renfro, and James McCollough. The services will be led by Pastor Silas Hare.