April 20 , 2017 The SEGway News Page 3
April 20 , 2017 The SEGway News Page 3
By Alexis Dierker
Pat and Jack Ross have lived in Upland for 52 years . After meeting in November when Pat was a Senior in High School , Jack and Pat were engaged in May , and married in September of that very same year . “ We just knew we were in love and didn ’ t see any sense in waiting .”
This September , they will be married for 65 years , and they ’ ve lived a life full of teamwork together through those years . After working for a time in Anderson , Pat and Jack moved to Upland in 1965 for Jack ’ s job , and a few years later in 1973 , they found themselves purchasing the old Stallsmith Insurance Agency to begin a business together — Ross Insurance — still located in that very same building on Main Street .
You might be familiar with the glass building along the street with all kinds of wildlife peeking out the glass — all collected over the years . The business is a family effort , and each of Pat and Jack ’ s three children have worked for the business at some point over the past 44 years — “ It takes all of us to run it !”
Outside of the family Insurance Agency , Jack and Pat have worked together to pour their time and efforts into something they care deeply for — the growth and development of Upland . They ’ ve had opportunities to serve as Jefferson Township Assessor , and have spent years in the local Chamber of Commerce , Lions Club , Masonic Lodge , Historic Society , and several other organizations with a heart to support the community .
“ When we moved here , it was a different town — businesses everywhere . We don ’ t want to be losing our younger
people because it leaves an emptiness , but we ’ ve got to have jobs for them .” Pat shared her dream of seeing young people take a hold of some of the organizations she ’ s had the pleasure of serving on — “ if these organizations go away it would really leave a void .”
They ’ ve owned the Ross
Personality Pat and Jack Ross : A life of teamwork together
Apartments and several other business-oriented buildings since the late 70 ’ s , and have loved providing opportunities for small businesses to come into town . These have included Sportsworld , Tropic Tanning , Trojan Pizza , a beauty shop , nail salons , a fabric shop , pet store , bakery , bookstore , and several different
restaurants . “ We like to see downtown growth especially with historic buildings beginning to be torn down . We want to encourage new business and help people along the way to get into old buildings and fix them up .”
“ The biggest thing we as a community can do , is to support your local business by using their services — you may have to pay a bit more to keep them in town , but it ’ s worth it !”
Jack and Pat are happy to share about their family — the accomplishment they are most proud of . With three children , 6 grandchildren , and 16 great grandchildren , they love having them close by and don ’ t have plans to leave . “ We have no desire to go south for the winter with the grandkids coming to the farm to sled , or come fishing in the summer . We don ’ t know what the remaining years will be , but they will be spent here in our community called Upland — home for 52 years ”.
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