New Greenway bench to honor Ross
From Staff ReportsOriginally published: September 04. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: September 04. 2008 12:32AM
The Foothills Striders will dedicate a new bench on Maryville's Greenway in memory of Dale Ross, a member of the hiking club who died last Thursday.
The ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday on the Greenway trail between Cedar Street and Montvale Road along Pistol Creek.
"Anybody that's a friend of Dale's is invited to attend," said Doug Anderson, president of the Foothills Striders.
The new bench is located about 100 yards down the trail from the Cedar Street entrance across from the tennis courts at Sandy Springs Park. City of Maryville workers poured the concrete for the new bench.
Anderson said Dale's wife Pat Ross and his seven children have been invited to the ceremonies.
A club member is making a video of the dedication ceremonies and is planning a "living guest book" for friends of Dale Ross who would like to make a video-taped statement for the family.
Dale Ross, who owned a furniture store in Maryville for more than 30 years, spent much of his life in community service. He built 17 different Habitat for Humanity houses and did mission work for the United Methodist Church.
As a member of the Foothills Striders, he hiked every trail in the Smokies and helped maintain Husky Gap Trail for years.