Paul Thomas Ross

Paul Thomas Ross passed away on December 25, 2025, in Kennesaw, Georgia, due to complications from dementia and a recent fall. He was 86 years old. Paul was born in Ashland, KY, on June 1, 1939, to Douglas Edward Ross and Flora Wells Ross. His brother Gene was five years older. Paul’s mother Flora died when he was three years old. Five years later, his dad married Ruby Hill Campbell, the mother of Michael and Monte Campbell. Paul, Gene, Mike and Monte were well known in Ashland for their adventures and pranks. After graduation from Ashland High School in 1958, Paul and his best friend David Patton were recruited to play basketball at Georgia Southern College (now Georgia Southern University) in Statesboro, GA. Paul and David enjoyed college, making life long friends. Paul also received advanced degrees from Middle Tennessee State University in 1969 and Jacksonville State University (AL) in 1986. In 1964, Paul began dating GSC student Caroline Pitts from Ashburn, GA. They married on May 29, 1965, in Ashburn, and celebrated their 60th anniversary this past May. On December 16, 1967, their first daughter, Michelle Maureen “Missy”, was born in Tifton, GA. On May 17, 1971, in Marietta, GA, the birth of their second daughter, Paula Marie, completed the family. Paul was a wonderful Dad to his girls. He taught them life and practical lessons like being a good sport and washing a car. Many backyard games, swimming, tennis, bike riding, gardening, trips to the beach, mountains, and other locations filled their childhood. The girls loved shopping trips with Dad, because he did not look at price tags like Mom did. After college graduation in 1965, Paul and Caroline moved to Tifton, GA, where Paul began his career as a basketball coach, teacher and high school administrator. He was at Tift County High School (1965-1969), Wills High School, Smyrna, GA, (1969-1972, and 1974-1989 as Assistant Principal, then Principal), Southern Technical Institute, Marietta, GA, (1972-1974), and Sprayberry High School, Marietta GA, as Principal (1989-1997). In 1995, Paul was named the State of Georgia Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and MetLife Insurance Company. Also in 1995, due to the efforts of the staff and administration, Sprayberry High School was named a National School of Excellence. Paul retired from education in 1997 and began a career in sales with Keith Foust of the Herff Jones Company. Keith and Paul added many new accounts in high schools for class rings and graduation items. In 2011, Paul retired from Herff Jones and enjoyed the next fourteen years playing golf, dining with friends, working in the yard, watching Kentucky Wildcats, listening to music, beach trips and lake visits with their extended family. He and Caroline added to their travel adventures with family and friends on cruises to Alaska, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Hawaii, Canada and the Caribbean. Other trips were to the Canadian Rockies (by train), and the US South West (by bus). In 1995, Paul, Caroline and family members traveled to New Zealand, the birthplace of Caroline’s mother, Maureen. They reunited with Caroline’s aunt, uncle and cousins and spent ten days touring that beautiful country. Paul was a member of the Marietta First United Methodist Church, the John Strother Sunday School Class, the Marietta Country Club, and the Retired Administrators of Cobb County. He was a role model for young men as their basketball coach and for other students as friends. Paul was known as a very sharp dresser, which Caroline had noticed at Georgia Southern before they met. Most important of all, Paul and Caroline enjoyed their 60 years of marriage, especially being parents to their two daughters and spoiling grandchildren. Paul is survived by his loving wife Caroline, daughter Missy Hicks (Jeff), Anniston, AL, daughter Paula Surdykowski (Andrew), Marietta, GA, grandchildren Ross Hagan (Bella), Charleston, SC, Reilly Surdykowski, Charleston, SC, Campbell Hagan, Auburn, AL, Laine Surdykowski, NYC, step-granddaughter Taylor Hicks and her daughter Piper Walker of Anniston, AL. Other survivors include his brother Monte Campbell (Patty), Richmond, VA, sisters-in-law Bonnie Campbell, Ashland, KY, Christy Stamper, Georgetown, KY, sisters and brothers-in-law Jane and John Holland, Athens, GA, Michelle and Marvin Kennedy, Lake Oconee, GA, Roxanne and Jim Jones, St. Augustine Beach, FL. Also, close friends David Patton, Fran Florian, Paula and Ray Broadaway and many nieces, nephews and other friends. The family would like to thank Paul’s caregivers, especially Tricia Ampadu, Gertrude Ngoe, and Gynel Campbell of HomeMatters Care Giving and the staff of Gaines Park Senior Living Center. His service will be held January 3, 2026 at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory, Historic Marietta Square at 11am. A reception will follow after the service at the funeral home. Donations in his name may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at First United Methodist Church of Marietta, 56 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064.

Paul Thomas Ross

June 1, 1939 - December 25, 2025