Ross Johnson

Ross Monroe Johnson, 83, of Jerome, Idaho, passed away on May 11, 2022, after battling kidney failure.

Ross was born on January 6, 1939, to Zara Walter Johnson and Sarah Idabelle Monroe in Elkhart, Kansas. After graduating from High School in Shafter, California in 1957, he served in the Coast Guard from 1957-1962. While serving in the Coast Guard, he married his childhood sweetheart JoAnn Corinne Mettler in 1958.  After having 3 children and going to night school, he later attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 1972.

Ross held various jobs such as construction, professional welding and after finishing college he became a partner at Inland Crop Dusters. In 1976 he moved his family to Jerome, Idaho to farm and run Ross’ Western Wear. Eventually he built three homes in the Magic Valley.

Ross was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he had dreamt of on a farm. By purchasing a farm and sports and western wear store, later to become Ross’ Western Wear. As Ross became well-known for his hat shaping skills at Ross’ people traveled from far and wide to have their hats shaped. He ran Ross’ with his wife JoAnn for 25 years. He worked his farm raising hogs, beef and breeding registered Quarter horses.

Ross, a man of many hobbies, enjoyed spending time with his family through various adventures. Riding and training horses in a true cowboy fashion, fly fishing and boating the rivers in Idaho, Utah, and Montana. Taking his children and later grandchildren on numerous camping trips. He also enjoyed gold panning throughout the mountains and streams of Idaho, just to mention a few.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Anyone who knew Ross knew that his family was important to him. He was a man who could tell a story and make you feel as if you lived it with him.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, JoAnn Johnson, son Mark (Nicola) Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada, daughter Connie (Ian) McLean of Le Claire, Iowa, and daughter Laura (Randy) Harbison of Jerome, Idaho. Grandchildren Alex (Shannon) McLean, Sarah Stevenson, and Joseph Stevenson. Brothers Za Walter Johnson and Clinton Henry Johnson of Colorado.

The family requests that all flowers and cards are sent to Farnsworth Mortuary & Crematory.