Derek Daniel Ross
January 30, 1950 — February 19, 2023
Derek Daniel Ross died peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2023 after a brief period of hospice care. Derek was born on January 30, 1950 and lived in Columbus, Ohio until he was eleven years old when he moved to Florida. While living in Florida Derek fell in love with surfing so much so that he and a couple of friends quit high school and ran away from home to California primarily for the surfing. (Derek had the good sense to complete his high school requirements; his parents flew out to California to attend his graduation.) Before long, when he ran out of money, Derek got a job cooking at a Denny’s Restaurant, knowing that he would always be able to eat, but would still have time to surf. Among other cooking skills, that is where he became very proficient at flipping eggs. Those basic skills played an important role in his future, especially when shortly thereafter, Derek was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Instead of being stationed in Vietnam, Derek was fortunate enough, perhaps even blessed, by his assignment to serve as Aide-de-Camp for General Charles Corcoran, Chief of Staff of the US Pacific Command in Hawaii from 1971 to 1973. The primary requirements of this assignment were restaurant experience and the ability to cook!
After his discharge from the Army, Derek left California, and returned to Florida where he worked as a chef at The Train Station in Ft. Lauderdale. He then went on to Victoria Station where he successfully managed several restaurants from Maryland to California. Derek managed TGI Fridays, the Boynton Ale House, and Mellow Mushroom, all in Florida starting in 1980 until he retired in 2015.
When he was not working, Derek enjoyed a wide variety of sports activities. In addition to surfing, Derek was an avid diver. He also loved fishing, tennis, and golf, which may have been his favorite pastime. He attended The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA twice and on several trips to California, he played at Pebble Beach.
Derek was generous to a fault whether it was for a Boy Scout fundraiser or a local school sports team that needed equipment or a friend’s Go Fund Me, he simply could not say “no”.
Derek was a devoted husband to his wife, his one true love. He was a very proud Dad to his son, and a doting Grandpa to his two darling granddaughters. He was a good friend to many and he will be greatly missed.
It was Derek’s wish to memorialize his passing with a “Celebration of Life” planned for some time in May 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Derek’s memory with donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a highly rated Charity serving Veterans and their families.
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org
Instead of being stationed in Vietnam, Derek was fortunate enough, perhaps even blessed, by his assignment to serve as Aide-de-Camp for General Charles Corcoran, Chief of Staff of the US Pacific Command in Hawaii from 1971 to 1973. The primary requirements of this assignment were restaurant experience and the ability to cook!
After his discharge from the Army, Derek left California, and returned to Florida where he worked as a chef at The Train Station in Ft. Lauderdale. He then went on to Victoria Station where he successfully managed several restaurants from Maryland to California. Derek managed TGI Fridays, the Boynton Ale House, and Mellow Mushroom, all in Florida starting in 1980 until he retired in 2015.
When he was not working, Derek enjoyed a wide variety of sports activities. In addition to surfing, Derek was an avid diver. He also loved fishing, tennis, and golf, which may have been his favorite pastime. He attended The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA twice and on several trips to California, he played at Pebble Beach.
Derek was generous to a fault whether it was for a Boy Scout fundraiser or a local school sports team that needed equipment or a friend’s Go Fund Me, he simply could not say “no”.
Derek was a devoted husband to his wife, his one true love. He was a very proud Dad to his son, and a doting Grandpa to his two darling granddaughters. He was a good friend to many and he will be greatly missed.
It was Derek’s wish to memorialize his passing with a “Celebration of Life” planned for some time in May 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Derek’s memory with donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a highly rated Charity serving Veterans and their families.
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org
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