Ross’ family moved from Eureka to Santaquin in about 1934, he said. The city has changed a lot since then, with the old barns and chicken coops in every yard disappearing over the years.

“It’s been a big change,” he said. “People are moving in; they’re good people.”

When Ross was hired as a police officer in the 1960s, he was part time. The job changed to full time, but he was still the only officer in town.

“I met a lot of good people,” Ross said. “I met a lot of characters too.”

There were times he’d find guys passed out in the snow, who had been walking home from “beer joints.” He’d pick them up and take them home. Another time, when he was part time, he let a man stay overnight in the jail so he’d have a roof over his head — but he forgot about him and went out to the desert. He had to call his wife to go let the guy out (he’d only been there overnight), and asked her to buy the man breakfast to make up for it.

Ross said he tried to be fair with everyone as a police officer, but it was “kind of hard to arrest your friends.” He thinks they all forgave him, though.

After working as the lone Santaquin police officer for about five years, he was hired as a deputy sheriff. He only did that for a few months.

Ross worked as a fur dealer for 50 years, raising fox and minks. He and his wife Maureen have been married for 70 years. They have five children, 10 grandchildren and many great- and great-great grandchildren.

The Orchard Days parade, where Ross will be honored, is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6.

“The Grand Parade … is when the whole community comes out to watch,” said Amy Johnson, program/events manager for Santaquin recreation. “It’s fun even working in the parade and seeing all the people who want to come.”