Thomas Ross Jewell

1933 – 2020

It is with sadness and fond memories of a really good person that we announce the passing of Ross Jewell on November 10, 2020. He died peacefully in his room at Noric House, where he had lived since March of 2017 and where he had touched the hearts of many during his time there.

Ross was born in Brandon, Manitoba on April 9, 1933 and his family moved to Victoria when he was a young boy. He grew up in Victoria where he attended high school and then moved to Vancouver to attend UBC where he studied math and geophysics. In Vancouver he met Sheila, the love of his life, whom he married in 1959. Ross obtained a Masters degree from University of California Berkeley and then was involved in geological and seismic research while employed by Stanford University. He and Sheila lived in Palo Alto, California for a few years and then moved to Calgary when Ross was hired to be the Director of the computing centre at the University of Calgary. After a few years there he was hired in the same capacity at Simon Fraser University, which took them back to B.C. for good in 1969.

With three children (Gail, Ross Jr. (Gus) and Sandra (Sandi)) to raise, Ross and Sheila decided a hobby farm was just the thing their family needed to learn some essential life skills. They bought 6 acres of raw land in eastern Langley and “the Farm” was born – first the house, then the barn, fences and paddocks, and a huge garden. Without any previous experience, they did an admirable job of raising horses, cattle, chickens, pigs, and sheep. Ross was a true family man, proud and supportive of his wife and children, demonstrating every day the attributes of hard work, kindness, honesty and respect.

Just as he was the biggest fan of his own children, Ross had the same enthusiasm for his four grandchildren (Alex, Brett, Madeline (Maddie) and Finley (Finn)), who lovingly referred to him as “G-Pa” or “Gramps”. Whenever possible, he would be watching, cheering, helping drive, feeding, providing accommodation, or supporting them in their various academic and athletic pursuits in whatever way he could. His love for them was genuine and unconditional.

Ross enjoyed being around others and getting to know people. He was genuinely interested in others and their stories and people enjoyed spending time with him because he was simply easy to be around. He lost Sheila much too early in 2006 and spent the last 14 years on his own, enjoying his favourite hobbies of computer programming, reading, playing golf and curling. He was a lover of dogs and raised and cared for a beautiful golden retriever (Tusa) and then a lab (Toby) during his retirement years, in addition to the various dogs that were part of the family while on The Farm. Ross volunteered with BC Special Olympics in Oliver and was a member of the Vernon Computer Club for several years. He would regularly drive between Vernon, Kelowna and Rossland to visit and help with his kids and grandkids.

The last five years of Ross’s life were dramatically impacted by the stroke he suffered in 2015. Even in the face of this significant disability, Ross continued to live by his principles of kindness and respect towards others. Those closest to him knew how frustrated he was that was 100% dependent on others for even the simplest of life’s day-to-day activities, yet he never let that change the friendly way he interacted with others. Several of the wonderful staff at Noric House who cared for him over the last few years often remarked about what a nice person Ross was, right through his final days.

Thomas Ross Jewell was a kind man with a good heart….the kind of person that helped make our world a better place. He will be missed and fondly remembered by those who crossed paths with him. While physically he has departed, his spirit will live on in those of us who had the good fortune to make memories with him along his life’s journey.

The staff at Noric House care facility in Vernon were absolutely amazing in the care they provided to Ross. Ross’s children want to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation for the incredible, compassionate care that Noric House provides. If anyone who shared parts of Ross’s life wish to pay tribute, his children suggest a donation to Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, with a specific reference to Noric House, would be a very fitting and beneficial way to honour his memory.