Ross Talbott Millard was born on Thursday, September 13, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Father Laurence (Larry) Oscar Millard and Julia Berry Talbott. On Saturday, September 20, 2025, he passed peacefully in his home with his family by his side, at the youthful age of 91. He was preceded in death by his wife Ellen, and sister Laurie.

Ross is survived by his daughter Bonnie, husband Andrew Connor, and their four children: Caleb, Caroline, Carter, and Claire, daughter Marcie, husband Joe Blamer, and their three children: Luke, Madeleine, and Lydia, and son Scott.

In his youth, Ross was a graduate of Culver Military Academy, and he served his country dutifully in the Army between 1954 - 1956. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, at the end of the Korean War. During this time, Ross developed a deep appreciation of Japanese culture and a love for his favorite food, sushi.

After the military, Ross graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in 1962, and he fell in love with the Southwest. While in Arizona, he worked at a cattle ranch and rode bareback broncos in the rodeo. Although he eventually left Arizona, Arizona never left his heart. Ross returned with his family throughout his lifetime, gifting them with an appreciation of the culture, people, and beauty of the Southwest.

Throughout his professional life, Ross made his career in data processing and sales, and worked for companies like International Harvester, General Motors (GM), General Electric (GE), and CompuStaff. Even at the age of 91, he loved technology and gadgets, especially Apple products and Artificial Intelligence.

A lover of nature, camping, and photography, Ross accumulated more than 50,000 photos and more than10,000 slides of his family, friends, flowers, landscapes, and had a deep connection with the beauty in nature. His favorite locations to capture included Arizona (Mogollon Rim), Yosemite (Half Dome), Mt Rainier, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Hocking Hills, the Smoky Mountains, Lake Okmulgee, and New Mexico. He was the happiest when with family and/or friends in nature, taking pictures of it all.


One of his greatest passions later in life was personalizing his many campers, adding custom shelves and tables, hidden compartments, and extending countertops and adding storage. At times he owned more than one camper!

Ross was a man who loved to stay active and spend quality time with close friends and family. He swam competitively while at Culver Academy, was in racquet ball leagues, and loved backpacking and mountain climbing. He faithfully supported his children in their youthful endeavors and activities (ballet, Indian Guides, Camp Fire, soccer, Boy Scouts, etc.) and throughout their adult lives.

In addition to being a rugged outdoorsman (think Jeremiah Johnson), anyone who knows Ross knows he also loved poetry, music, and telling a great story (some of them were even true). He also loved to do volunteer work and serve as a mentor to those in need through his favorite organizations: Community Action Resource Association (CARA), Rainbow Acres, and Pathways Adult Learning Center.

The memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Kirk of The Hills. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to his favorite local charity -
Pathways Adult Learning Center