Donald Metcalf Ross

Feb 19, 1935 -

May 13, 2026

Former Anchorage and Eagle River resident Donald Ross passed away at his Katy, Texas, home, his wife Leigh at his side.

Don devoted his life to serving God and others. "I was saved to walk with Jesus in 1948. I tried to live a Christian life and work for Christ's kingdom the remainder of my life."

Don never met a stranger. He made friends wherever he went and it seemed that every family outing included running into someone who knew Don.

Born in Shreveport, La., Don grew up in California after his family relocated during World War II. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an electronic countermeasures operator, flying reconnaissance missions during the Cold War.

Don married Phylis Walker in 1954, and the couple had two children. Their longtime dream of moving to Alaska became reality when Don accepted a position with the U.S. government in Anchorage. In August 1964, they headed north on the unpaved Alcan Highway with two children and the family cat in the back of their Volkswagen bus. Don loved Alaska, where the family enjoyed cross-country skiing, fishing and camping. His career as a U.S. Treasury Department criminal investigator later took him across the United States and Europe.

Don married Leigh Johnson-Steele in 2008. Together they shared a life centered on faith, service and travel. In his later years, Don continued to lead Bible studies, sing in the choir and make friends wherever he went.

Don is survived by his wife, Leigh Johnson-Steele of Katy; daughter, Shirley Johnston (Dave); grandchildren, Kate McQuillin (Wes), Evan Johnston (Sarah), Hannah Benson (Joel) and Rachel Johnston; and great-granddaughters, Hazel Johnston and Heidi Johnston, all of Alaska. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phylis (Walker) Ross; and son, Donald Wayne Ross.

A memorial was held May 30, 2026, in Katy. A graveside service will follow on June 15, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Valley Memorial Park in Palmer, Alaska.