Ross Buford Ausburn was born on February 27, 1932 in Tulsa, OK to Rube and Katherine Ross Ausburn. He passed peacefully on December 26, 2020 after completing his lifetime journey in preparation to meet his savior.

He graduated from Will Rogers High School, Tulsa, OK in 1950. Ross was a gifted athlete but really excelled at football. He attended the University of Oklahoma on a football scholarship and played for the legendary coach Bud Wilkinson. He married his High School sweetheart Mary Ann Nilson in 1953. After graduating with a BSBA he enlisted in United States Marine Corps and while stationed at Camp Pendleton he earned the rank of First Lieutenant. After his stint in the Marines he returned to the Tulsa area and began his career in the corrugated packaging industry at Hoerner Boxes.  Following several career advancement moves he ended up in Springfield, MO in 1963 as the General Manager of the Hoerner sheet plant at Battlefield and Scenic. It was here that he started his long term business relationship with his partner Charles R. "Chuck" Bachus. After they grew the Hoerner business in Springfield over an eight-year period they decided it was time to start their own company.  Thus was born Southern Missouri Containers, Inc. in 1972.  The company has grown to encompass four operations in Springfield, MO; Kansas City, MO; Conway, AR; and Tulsa, OK and has been rebranded as SMC Packaging Group, the largest independent corrugated box manufacturer west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains.

Ross has been active in many business organizations over the years including the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Missouri, Association of Independent Corrugated Converters, and Rotary.  One of the many legacies he has left us is the importance of being active and engaged in your community by volunteering your time and resources.  He served on the Springfield Park Board, Springfield Family Y Board, and was a big supporter of the Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He was exceptionally proud of the three generations of Eagle Scouts in the family. Ross was a longtime member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and enjoyed many years singing in the church choir. Hickory Hills Country Club was a special part of his life where he developed many lifelong friendships.

The true character of an individual surfaces when they are faced with the challenges of life and how they respond.  Ross was dedicated and passionate in his unselfish care of his wife of 49 years, Mary Ann, his "earth angel," as she battled years of Alzheimer's and he set the standard of a committed, loving husband. He has been an inspiration to all who have known him through his faith in the Lord and his love of people.  He was the consummate father and Papa and nothing brought him more joy and happiness than being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren (aka the "wrecking crew"). After Mary Ann's passing Ross married Sally Fisher and they enjoyed eight years together before her passing. Over the past few years Ross enjoyed the friendship of Mary Ann Greene and our family thanks her for the happiness and joy she brought to his life and ours. He loved and adored his little dog Molly and many thanks to Deerfield Veterinary for providing her care. A special thank you to Mary Stuckey and Jeanne Strang his caregivers from Home Sweet Homecare that watched over Ross and delivered compassionate care to him.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents Rube and Katherine Ausburn, his first wife Mary Ann Ausburn, and his second wife Sally Ausburn. He is survived by a son Kevin Ausburn and his wife Lynn, Springfield, MO; daughter Kristin Schneider and her husband Monty, Springfield, MO; grandson Matt Ausburn and his wife Dana, Springfield, MO; granddaughter Melissa Ausburn, Springfield, MO and her friend Josh Perry; granddaughter Sarah Reichert and her husband Shane, Ozark, MO; granddaughters Anna Schneider and Emma Schneider both of Springfield, MO; great grandchildren Matthew Ross Ausburn, Jr., Natalie Ausburn both of Springfield, MO, and Henry Reichert, Ozark, MO; brother Brian Ausburn and his wife Sue, Spring, TX; sister Kathy Latimer and her husband George, Springfield, MO; nephew Rob Latimer and his wife Jill, Shreveport, LA; niece Joy Latimer, Springfield, MO; nephew Tim Ausburn, Houston, TX; and niece Carole Daves and her husband Glenn, Austin, TX.

A private family graveside service is planned for now and a celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.  Arrangements are being handled by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church Foundation, 2441 S. Lone Pine, Springfield, MO  65804 or the Ozark Trails Council Boy Scouts of America, 1616 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfield, MO 65809.