Announcing the Passing of
Terrell Ross

Sign or view the Herald-Leader Guestbook for Terrell

Our friend Terrell Ross presiding over his Halloween costume party at his historic Transylvania Park home in Lexington in October 2004.

LEXINGTON – Following a month long battle with cancer, my long-time friend Terrell Ross passed away on Friday evening October 20, 2006 at his home on North Mill Street. Terrell was a founding partner of Kentucky's most prominent investment banking firm Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, LLC (RSA).

It was my good fortune to share with both Terrell and his wife Diana being natives of Fleming County, Kentucky. Terrell and I both attended Tilton Elementary School. 

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons-in-laws and one grandchild.

Personally, I have lost a very special friend. Additionally, Terrell along with two other late friends Representative Pete Worthington and Fleming County Judge Bill Owens were political allies. It was a joy to share the laughter and friendship. I have many great memories to reflect upon. 

Terrell was a brilliant businessman, fierce competitor and a generous man.  He enjoyed life, his family, his historic home and his work. He was formerly Executive Director of Buffalo Trace Area Development District based in Maysville. At BTADD Terrell established a reputation for innovation, creativity, perfection and success in public administration. These cornerstones skills helped him launch his RSA.

Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, LLC (RSA) is based in Frankfort, KY. The firm is a regional, full-service securities brokerage and investment banking firm dedicated to innovative strategies and superior client service. They do business in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and West Virginia. The RSA staff is a diverse group of professionals experienced in municipal finance and retail brokerage. In addition, RSA has a network of relationships with mutual funds, banks, and broker/dealers throughout the investment community. The confidence and trust placed in RSA advisors springs directly from the highly competent, honest and direct dealings for which we are known.

RSA is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). We are listed in Standard & Poor's Security Dealers of North America and The Bond Buyer's Directory of Municipal Bond Dealers in both the Financial Advisory and the Underwriters sections.

Funeral Arrangements are pending at Whitehall Funeral Chapel near his North Lexington home.


ROSS, Terrell, 59, born in Fleming County, and husband of Diana M. Ross, died Fri., Oct. 20, 2006 at his home on Gratz Park. He was Chairman of Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, a regional investment banking firm located in Frankfort, KY, with offices in several surrounding states. Terrell was a graduate of Morehead State University, a member of the Lexington Club, a Gratz Park investment partner, and the previous Executive Director of the Buffalo Trace Area Development District. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Carrie Ross (Damion) Reid and Amanda Ross (Brady) Clevenger both of Lexington; his mother, Edith Buchanan Ross of Flemingsburg; three brothers, Robert (Jane) Ross of North Carolina, Thomas Alexander (Mary Ann) Ross of Highland Heights, and Bob (Judy) Ross of Shelbyville; two sisters, Ann Reeder of Flemingsburg, and Brenda (Dickie) Dillon of Ewing; and two grandchildren, Cody and Ross Alexander Reid. Terrell was preceded in death by his father, Alexander Ross. Funeral services will be 3 p.m., Wed, Oct. 25, 2006 at WHITEHALL FUNERAL HOME conducted by Reverend Richard Anderson. Visitation will be 5-9 p.m., Tue, Oct. 24, 2006 at the funeral home. Private burial will be on Thursday at Elizaville Cemetery Company in Flemingsburg, KY. Memorial contributions suggested to: Cancer Care Club; P.O. Box 189; Flemingsburg, KY 41041.

Terrell Ross Funeral Comments
By Dale Emmons at the funeral service conducted Whitehall Funeral Home Lexington, KY on October 25, 2006 at 3:00 p.m.

LEXINGTON – Diana, Amanda, Kerrie, Mrs. Ross thank you for asking me to be a part of today's service. 

We gather today to celebrate the life of our dear departed friend Terrell Ross. Yesterday in speaking with Judge Kent Clark and Jim Codell we were discussing that just a few brief weeks ago this is a day that none of us had any idea was coming. 

We are going to miss the phone calls from Terrell and his trade make greeting, "How you doing buddy". Or his calls asking, "I need for you to call some body". Or, "Dale, I need a phone number". I told him I felt like I was directory assistance!

I am especially going to miss the email jokes and his infectious laughter. In a spirit of good taste, I won't be sharing the jokes with you today. 

I'll miss discussing politics with Terrell. Jim Gray and Congressman Ben Chandler, I know Terrell is counting on you carrying on.

The scriptures teach us there is a season for everything. This was the season for Terrell's passing. We still struggle to understand why, but relying on our faith it is clear that God had another plan. I think I have learned one of God's plans. 

When Amanda called me the to ask me to participate in this service I relayed to her a touching personal moment that happened shortly after her Dad's death. Undoubtedly many of you have had a similar experience since Terrell's passing. 

My son Jamie who was very fond of Terrell wrote me a wonderful and touching email note. While the contents we very personal, I want to share just the essence of it. In his email Jamie pointed out that seeing how quickly things progressed with Terrell's illness, it seems there's really nothing we can do other than enjoy the time we have together and show our love for each other. 

Jamie was right and now that Terrell is gone, we need to cherish and enjoy the good memories we all have. And to be mindful to take the time to love one another and to spend time with those we care about.

We have good memories because Terrell enjoyed life because of his friendship. Because of Terrell's uncommon zeal for life. And because his laughter will be remembered as evidence of this.

Our faith reassures us that Terrell is in a much better place today. There is a new patron at whatever the heavenly equivalent to Happy Hour is.

Fleming County Roots

It was my good fortune to share with both Terrell and Diana a common heritage of being natives of Fleming County. 

Terrell and I were both country boys. In the same vein as Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. It was an idealic time, place and childhood experience. 

Terrell and I both attend a community school. Tilton Elementary School just up the road from my family's country store. With the requisite outdoor toilets, well water, oiled wooden floors and coal stoves. It was a scene right out of rural KY history. 

We both graduated from the WPA constructed Fleming County High School, now Simon Middle School. 

We both had families who encouraged us and taught us we could do and become whatever we wanted. We were encouraged to go to college and we did. As a result we both graduated from Morehead State University under the reign of the legendary Dr. Adron Doran. 

Our fathers were both well known in the community and both had unique nick-names: Doc and Tubby. These nick names tell you allot about the kind of place this was. 

This common life experience and heritage, was the foundation for my friendship and the mutual respect which Terrell and I shared. As was our well-known friendship with Pete Worthington, Jerry Lundergan and Terry McBrayer.

Even though we both had long ago moved here to central Kentucky, we maintained a shared affection for our home community and its people. 

There several people here today who still call Fleming County home. For those of you who were not Fleming County born and raised have wondered aloud have noticed that the Bluegrass is full of Fleming County born people. In truth we are a bit of a clan! You may have noticed that we are usually quick to tell others of our Fleming County roots. I have found this to be a common trait for all those of us who have the good fortune to have been born in this place we call home.

Early in Terrell's professional career Terrell was hired as Executive Director of Buffalo Trace Area Development District . He was the youngest in Kentucky. At that time I had just graduated from Morehead and was working in Frankfort for Governor Julian Carroll. 

Terrell and I would talk often. At events and meetings we would get together with two other political allies. Especially our late friends State Representative Pete Worthington and Fleming County Judge Bill Owens.

Few people realize the impact Terrell has had on public policy that over the past 35 years. This is evidenced by the significant numbers of elected public officials who are in attendance here today. Legislators, constitutional officers and our congressman. Terrell Ross affect on public policy was through his friendships and alliances. 

We even tried to elect Terry McBrayer Governor. Terrell was still trying. Your laughter at that statement is what I will always remember most about Terrell. With Terrell it was a joy to share the laughter and friendship. 

And the work to try to improve the circumstance of our home region. Terrell did things that helped people in there day to day lives. Working with Tommy Fern, then the District Manager of Farmers Home and later State Director to hello build water and sewer projects. Clean drinking water has not always been a reality where we were. When you make this possible you changes lives and ensure public health.

At BTADD Terrell quickly established a reputation for innovation, creativity, perfection and success in public administration.

None of us were surprised when Terrell and Murray Sinclaire made the decision launch Ross, Sinclaire & Associates. There too he earned a solid reputation of being a brilliant businessman, fierce competitor, and having a generous heart. These some of the cornerstones which brought him success.

In closing I applaud this family for their decision to make Elizaville in Fleming County Terrell's final resting place.  There he will join a host of others who we admire, respect and remember for their life, their accomplishments and friendships.

May God continue to bless each of you.