Sam Ross

Sam Ross

Samuel B. Ross II, passed peacefully from this life at the age of 79 on Dec. 22, 2022 in Jupiter, Florida surrounded by his wife and two sons. Sam was born in Parkersburg, WV, on Sept. 21, 1943, to the late Byrl and Elinor Ross. He attended Parkersburg schools before transferring and graduating from the Kiski School in Saltsburg, PA. He then attended The Ohio State University where he earned a B.S. degree and then on to the University of Washington where he earned an MBA with an emphasis in Finance.

Sam is survived by his wife, Susan Storck Ross, son Samuel B. “Tres” Ross, III and his wife Melissa, and their 4 children Braeden, Owen, Christian and Ivy Ross, all of Vienna, and son Spencer Brownell Ross and his husband Phil of New York City. He is also survived by his niece Elizabeth Monroe Schuler and her husband Mike and their children Tristan, Trevor and Tasha, and his former wife, Brownell Cochran. Sam was pre-deceased by his sister, Janis and his stepson, Robin.

Sam was the visionary behind many companies, all based proudly in West Virginia. He started his career by opening his first convenience store in 1972 in Parkersburg. Within 3 months of opening, his company, SBR, became a licensee of the Southland Corporation commonly known as 7-Eleven. It didn’t take long until 7-Eleven became the dominant convenience food store chain in West Virginia and Maine, with additional stores in Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire.

In 1987, SBR began diversifying when it acquired Woodcraft Supply Corp. which specialized in woodworking tools, and again in 1989, when it purchased Simonton Building Products, a vinyl window manufacturer that became tremendously successful under SBR’s leadership. But it didn’t stop there! The SBR family eventually also grew to include Hy-Lite Products, Style-Mark, Fypon, and Dixie Pacific.

After selling SBR in 2006, Sam thought he might retire. He had carved out the Woodcraft company and thought he might enjoy spending his days woodworking and growing Woodcraft, but as usual, his quest for growth just continued. He became involved in the exploration and production sector of the oil and gas industry through Hall Drilling, LLC with Mike Hall. He and his wife also pursued their love of horses by getting involved in the horse racing industry through a company called Breeze Easy, another venture with Mike Hall. He even purchased the historic Blennerhassett Hotel in downtown Parkersburg to keep it alive for the benefit of the Parkersburg Community. He continued to operate and improve the hotel with his son Tres until it was sold in 2019.

Sam was truly one of a kind. He was not only an extremely successful businessman, but he was willing to share his knowledge, his passion, and his success with all of his employees. It was not enough for him to win; he insisted that his employees and his customers win as well. In the early years of his business career, Sam along with his management team at the time, developed a standard of performance that they called “The SBR Way,” which stated that the employee was the #1 resource to achieve success in any company. This standard was used to guide each of the SBR companies to achieve phenomenal success while maintaining a fun and caring atmosphere.

Sam was incredibly proud to live and work in West Virginia. He was committed to giving back to the communities that had enabled SBR to be so successful, and insisted that a percentage of all net income generated from his companies be returned to the community in which they operated through charitable acts and contributions. In 2006, Sam and his family created the Ross Foundation, which was designed to support charitable efforts in Wood, Ritchie, Doddridge, Pleasants and Jackson Counties in WV and is led by his son Tres. One of the most exciting ventures so far is the creation of a children’s museum in Parkersburg named Discovery World on Market which is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2023.

Through the years, Sam had received several honors and accolades for the many business achievements and charitable contributions he made to the communities in which he operated. This was difficult for him, as Sam was always more focused on succeeding than he was receiving public recognition for those successes. Nevertheless, he was tremendously honored by his induction into the West Virginia University Business Hall of Fame in 2006, and when he was selected to be a member of the World President’s Organization.

But beyond those who will remember his business success, there was a man who will be deeply missed by his family. His son Tres will always treasure the times they had traveling the world together, especially their cycling trips through Colorado and France, always with wine in tow. His son Spencer will forever be thankful for all of the passions his father introduced him to, especially cherishing their first Broadway show together at the age of 6. And throughout the 35 years they were married, his loving wife Susan was honored to support all of his endeavors by his side. And Sam’s love for his dogs Connor, Finn, and especially the recently departed William (“Puppy”) knew no bounds.

An avid outdoorsman, Sam was always happiest with a fishing pole in his hand, fly fishing out west. He was a voracious reader, always inquisitive and in search of more knowledge. And there were few things he loved more than pasta and a glass of fine wine, a trait that his children will definitely continue.

Ask anyone who knew him, and they will tell you that there will never be another Sam Ross. His legend will live forever through his example of a well lived life, the generosity of his spirit and the mark he made on the hearts and values of thousands of people throughout the world. He will be truly missed.

A “Celebration of Life” ceremony will be held at a later date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that any gifts should be made directly to Discovery World on Market or the Humane Society of Parkersburg.