Daniel Ross

Daniel Ezra Ross, 84, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 31, 2025, at Navarre Gardens Care facility. He was born on October 6, 1940, in Huntington, West Virginia to Samuel and Maime Ross. He graduated from Logan Senior High School with honors in 1958. He was a proud graduate and son of Marshall University in Huntington where he received a bachelor’s degree in business. He was an elementary school teacher and had a love of history, and was always found absorbed in a book, always wanted to learn; to which he passed that love onto his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and nephews.

He worked for State Farm, then left for Florida to take a job with All State before joining Nationwide. Daniel built a long, phenomenal career before retiring as a Gulf State Region Director. He was also a lifelong Mason, and a member of St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Pensacola. He married the love of his life, Joyce Ann Ross, and shared a wonderful life full of work and raising two children. They loved to travel the world together, exploring cultures and many countries, and spending time with their beloved grandchildren. They were happily married for fifty-nine years before Joyce’s passing in 2019.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents Samuel and Maime Ross, brother David Ross, and his beloved daughter-in-law Beth Ross.

He is survived by one son Brian Daniel of Gulf Breeze, who cared for him extensively through his illness, and one daughter, Dina Pagonis of Navarre. Daniel was blessed with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, September 4, 2025, from 5-7pm at Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Services will be the following morning, September 5, 2025, at 11:00am, located at St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church. A mercy meal will be served at the church immediately following service. Daniel will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife at Rose Lawn Cemetery on September 5, 2025, at 2pm.