Man instrumental in founding Meals On Wheels honored at banquet
 The
Cherokee County Meals
on Wheels building is sometimes referred to as “The House That Dean
Built.”
Dean Ross (pictured at right with Terry Dennis, Cherokee County
Meals on Wheels Executive Director) was one of the first residents on board when the Gaffney
Ministerial Association decided in 1983 to start a Meals on Wheels
ministry to feed elderly residents. He has served on the board of
directors as treasurer and member-atlarge for 27 years.
“Although we know that Dean Ross has done a lot of community service
work, his service to Meals on Wheels has been our anchor. We would not
be here or be as self-sufficient as we are were it not for his drive and
dedication,” Meals on Wheels Director Terry Dennis said. “Through his
extraordinary efforts, thousands of county residents over the years have
been blessed with not only a meal, but with care and helpful concern.”
Those efforts were recently recognized when Ross was presented the
Palmetto Patriot Award before 200 Meals on Wheels volunteers at an
appreciation banquet at Buford Street United Methodist Church. The
Palmetto Patriot Award is given by the lieutenant governor’s office and
is the highest community service award. The award was given in
recognition of the role Ross played in developing the Meals on Wheels
community ministry.
Today, volunteers donate their time and vehicles to deliver 400 meals
every day so senior citizens do not go hungry in Cherokee County. It’s
part of a national effort to eliminate hunger among elderly residents by
2020. A recent study found 1 in 8 South Carolina senior citizens goes
hungry every day.
Ross, 88, has made it a personal mission over the years to ensure Meals
on Wheels continues to provide nutritious meals for the county’s elderly
residents.
“When the present building was built in 1994, Dean not only spearheaded
the project, but also laid tile, carpeting, hauled in and installed
equipment, built cabinets, painted — putting his hand to every need,”
Dennis said. “By so doing, we were successful at opening our doors on a
building with no debt — mortgage-free.”
Ross has always had a close connection with the Gaffney community. He is
the son of William Henry and Fanny Gaffney Ross. He is a direct
descendant of city founder Michael Gaffney.
With the help of Pat Garnet, Ross received a scholarship to Clemson
College to be band director when he was a student. He arranged “Tiger
Rag,” the Clemson fight song which is still used today. His entire class
was drafted into the military during his junior year at Clemson. He
served with distinction and received several battlefield commissions
during World War II. He graduated from Clemson in February 1948 and
started work the next day as the Blacksburg High band director. He
directed the Blacksburg High band to several state honors over the next
10 years before going into school administration.
Ross stayed with the military and retired from the National Guard after
30 years, reaching the rank of colonel. He spent 25 years as Cowpens
High principal before retiring in 1983. He is an Eagle Scout, longtime
Rotarian and has been a deacon for 62 years at First Baptist Church in
Gaffney. He is a respected Cherokee County historian.
“Dean has meant a great deal to thousands of people in and around
Gaffney over his lifetime of service,” Dennis said.
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