Ross Eugene Pile

Ross Eugene Pile, 88-year-old Laverne resident, went to his heavenly home on June 21, 2025, at home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 30, at Laverne First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at May Cemetery.

Ross Pile was born on March 11, 1937, to Clarence and Mildred (Bennett) Pile in Shattuck, Oklahoma. He grew up west of May and attended May schools. He inherited his father’s love of farming and flying. At age 14, he obtained his pilot’s license and flew everywhere in his teenage years, including to the Woodward Drive-In. At age 18, he led a crew of custom harvesters cutting wheat through several states. He excelled at sports in high school and attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he was on the track team and was a member of the Royal Order of the North Hall Rabbit Hunters.

After graduating from Panhandle with a mathematics degree, he entered the Navy and was stationed throughout the country while in flight school. While stationed in Memphis, Tennessee, he was set up on a blind date to a Navy ball with a local elementary teacher named Marsha Riley. They married on December 28, 1964.

Ross became a lieutenant in the VF-114 Aarkvark fighter squadron stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk carrier. He flew the F4B bomber for 54 missions before his plane was shot down on March 5, 1966. He ejected while the plane was in a steep dive and suffered a broken back and multiple other injuries, but was rescued by a helicopter crew as the enemy was closing in on him. After months of recovery, he returned home with the Purple Heart and several more service awards. Ross was often invited to talk to students and reporters about his time as a jet fighter pilot, and he was proud of his service. He went to several reunions of his squadron and had lifelong friendships with his fellow veterans.

After his honorable discharge, Ross and Marsha moved to May to fulfill his plan of being a “dirty dirt farmer.” He was also principal at May Public Schools and taught math at Laverne Public Schools. They welcomed two daughters, Andrea Gayle and Allison Renee. They eventually moved to a house on the southwest side of Laverne and Ross returned full time to his true love of farming and raising cattle.

Ross was a great husband and father. His quiet easygoing manner was the perfect match for the outgoing Marsha. They were the perfect couple and were rarely seen apart in their 59 years of marriage. He loved his daughters and strived to provide so much for them. He supported them in athletics, academics, and life. Ross had a great love for his grandchildren and made sure to attend every sporting event or activity he could. He watched many barrel races, piano recitals, tennis matches, track meets, cross country meets, football games, basketball games, and musical performances.

Ross accepted the Lord as his Savior on Oct. 24, 2001, and was baptized a week later in First Baptist Church of Laverne. He was a long-time usher at the church. His generous nature was a testament to his dedication to a Christ-like life.

He is survived by his daughter, Andrea, of Oklahoma City; daughter, Allison, and her husband, Joel Kendall, of Weatherford; one brother, Lee Pile, and wife Etta, of Lexington, Kentucky;  grandchildren, Tanner Fields of Oklahoma City, Kinsey Fields of Pensacola, Florida, Brody Fields of Oklahoma City, Lane Kendall of Stillwater, and Ethan Kendall of Fayetteville, Arkansas; nephews Todd Solomon, John Solomon, Kerry Welch, and Ron Welch; nieces Teri Burkett, Sandy Myers, Barbie Pile, and Kim Hamilton, brother-in-law Frank Page of Buffalo, and many family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marsha, his parents, Clarence and Mildred, sister Charlene Page, brother-in-law Jim Solomon, and sister-in-law Beverly Solomon.