Ryan Philip Ross (Seymour)'s Obituary
Ryan Philip Ross, son of Arnie and Cathy Ross, was born on September 19th, 1977 in Springfield, Missouri. After several months of sickness, Ryan left us on May 24th, 2018 at the age of 40. He left us in his sleep while he was surrounded by family, flowers and love.
Born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, Ryan at an early age was recognized for his outgoing personalty and undeniable charisma. He channeled these into acting and he possessed a beautiful singing voice. He was the male lead in the Glendale High School production of “Godspell” his senior year and was also asked to sing at his graduation ceremony in 1995. In June of 1998, Ryan played Peter in the Springfield Little Theatre’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Ryan then moved to Dallas where he lived with his older brother “Little” Arnie. His shining personality and irreverent sense of humor earned him the friendship and admiration of many.
In 2000, Ryan decided to seriously pursue a career in theater and moved to New York City. He immediately fell in love with and became a part of the culture of the city. He was the lead actor in productions of “The House of Yes,” “The Allegory of Golf,” “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” toured with a traveling production of “Paul Revere” and appeared in an episode of “Sex and the City.”
Ryan moved with his partner Steven to Los Angeles in 2012, reuniting with his brother and where he continued his tradition of making friends and spreading laughter. Eventually, they returned to New York to further their careers back in the city that he loved.
Ryan is survived by his parents Arnie and Cathy Ross in Springfield, Missouri, his brother Arnie in Los Angeles, California, his former partner Steven Baker in New York, New York and many, many family and friends across the county. A true testament to the person he was can be seen in the pockets of loved ones who will miss him: from Missouri, Dallas, Los Angeles to New York and beyond.
Ryan will be remembered for his amazing sense of humor, as an adventure-seeking world traveler, a presence on the stage, and the heart of the party. He left on the anniversary of the passing of his beloved Grandmother Dola June Ross, and we are sure that he is with her and busy keeping her, Aunt Sharon and Cousin Rhonda laughing in heaven.
The world keeps spinning, only now with a little less awesomeness in it.
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