Petersburg Vice Mayor Carl “Mike” Ross died suddenly Friday after collapsing in the parking lot at Fort Lee, where he worked full time, according to city spokeswoman Jay Ell Alexander.

Ross, 63, a member of the Petersburg Democratic Party, had served on the City Council since 2003. He was elected vice mayor this month.

He was a trustee and choir member of Greater Faith A.M.E. Zion Church.

The Honorable Vice Mayor for the City of Petersburg, Carl Michael "Mike" Ross was born on November 9, 1951, in Annapolis, Maryland, to the late Charles Ross and the late Annie Stansbury Allen.

Mike was educated in the Annapolis, Maryland Public Schools. After graduating from Annapolis Senior High School in the class of 1969, he attended Virginia State College (now University) where he earned a B.S. degree in Psychology and M.Ed. in Guidance. Mike was also HVAC certified and enjoyed working on cars.

Mike professed his faith in our Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age at Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church in Annapolis, Maryland. After matriculating to Petersburg, Virginia, he later joined Greater Faith A.M.E. Church.

As a young man, Mike worked as a social worker at the Southside Virginia Training School. He also provided mental health support to the patients at Popular Springs Hospital. He later dedicated his career to supporting the military as an Education Service/Test Control Officer, Army Continuing Education Center & the Military Entrance Processing Center.

Mike had a tremendous presence in the city of Petersburg. As a young adult, Mike served in various capacities within youth and adult sport leagues including being a founding member/manager of the Petersburg Academic Sports League. As an active member of Greater Faith A.M.E. Church, he sang in the JR Bailey Memorial Choir, served on the Trustee Board and was the occasional van driver. He was always available to lend a helping hand. Mike loved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., in which he was a lifetime member, and the Greater Petersburg Area Alumni Association of VSU. He volunteered in multiple capacities within the Va. Cooperative Extension. Mike was also a member of the Civilian Welfare Council and Die Progressive Harren Civic & Social Club. Mike believed in the value of education for everyone. He served in the Petersburg High school PTA, as a board member of John Tyler Community College and the Petersburg Public School Board as a member and Vice Chairman. Additionally, he was the long standing gaming manager of bingo for the Petersburg Booster Club. Sensing the need to improve the quality of life for the residents of Petersburg, Mike joined the Petersburg Democratic Party and the East Walnut Hill Neighborhood Association where he served as treasurer and president. He was later elected to the Petersburg City Council in which he was recently appointed by his fellow council members to as serve Vice Mayor.

Mike loved traveling to sporting events including the Bayou & Turkey Day Classics along with the CIAA where he supported his beloved VSU Trojans. He also enjoyed the comradery on bus trips to various performing arts events in New York and New Jersey.

Mike departed this life suddenly on Friday, January 23, 2015. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his step-father, Clarence Allen and sister, Nancy Baskerville.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Carlynn; six brothers, Charles, Grafton Jr. (Peggy), Charles Stanley (Julie), Kim (Amy), Jeff, and Mark (Anita); five sisters, Debra, Cindy, Sandra, Linda and Clara; a loving nephew, Bryan; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; significant other, Terry; and special friends, Gennie "Parker" (Eva) and "The Boys Club."

Celebration of life service was held at 11 a.m. January 29, 2015, at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Ave., Petersburg, with the Rev. Dr. Rev. Wesley K. Mclaughlin, officiating and the Rev. Audrey G. Jones, pastor, of Greater Faith AME, eulogizing. A private interment will be held in Annapolis, Md.

Published in The Progress-Index from Jan. 27 to Jan. 28, 2015

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• By Leah Small
  Staff Writer
  Posted Jan. 25, 2015 at 2:00 AM
  Updated Jan 26, 2015 at 5:44 PM

PETERSBURG — Vice Mayor Carl “Mike” Ross is remembered for his devotion to moving the city forward during his 11 years of service on Council.

Ross, 63, died unexpectedly on Friday, after collapsing in a parking lot at Fort Lee where he worked full-time as an Education Services Specialist. His former wife, Nancy Ross, said that the cause of death is still unknown at this time.

Ross, a Democrat, was appointed as vice mayor this month, having served on council since 2003. He previously served on school board from 1995 to 2001 and was chairman of the board from 1998 to 2001. In the last Ward 2 elections in 2012, Ross ran against Marlow Jones, assistant fire marshal. According to results from the State Board of Elections, the councilman beat Jones by 1,203 votes to 917, with all precincts reporting.

Ross was a member of nearly 20 civic organizations and boards throughout his time in the city, according to his biography on the city’s website. In his spare time, he enjoyed volunteering and antique cars. He also enjoyed watching college and professional football, basketball and baseball and listening to jazz and gospel music.

Mayor Howard Myers said on Friday that he was saddened by Ross’ death.

“His passing marks the end of someone who was an integral part of the city of Petersburg. His kind spirit will be sorely missed,” Myers said.

Councilman Brian Moore, Ward 4, served the longest alongside Ross of any member currently on council. Moore has served three terms on city council.

“I’m going to miss him every single minute of the day. He was very wise and had a very calming personality” Moore said. “We are all going to have to work harder to move the city forward. He would have wanted us to do that.”

Both officials were good friends outside of Council and had talked about going to the Baltimore Orioles Opening Day together this year.

Retired City Councilman Ken Pritchett and City Manager William E. Johnson III spoke to Ross’ continued service to the city.

“I always felt that he was relatively quiet most of the time but when he did have something to say, it was worth listening to,” Pritchett said. “I think he was an honorable member of council and I think his service was very good for the city."

Johnson said that Ross wanted nothing but the best for the city and for Fort Lee, where he worked. The city manager also said that his thoughts and prayers were with Ross’ family.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Leah Small may be reached at 722-5172 or lsmall@progress-index.com