Fatal Tractor Accident

NORTH FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash-- It was in north Franklin County deputies say Mike Ross was killed in a tragic farming accident. They say his tractor hit a pipe and rolled over, pinning the 65-year-old.

But it's in photos the loving grandfather will be remembered.

"When you think back and tell stories, a lot of them will make you laugh and that's kind of a nice feeling to have at a time like this," says Lori Lancaster, manager of the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo.

Ross was a long-time member of the Benton-Franklin Fair and Rodeo board.

"He was a character like most of the fair board members," remembers Lancaster. "He had been on the board since 1992 and he was really passionate about the event."

His friends say he was on the verge of retirement from Energy Northwest and planned to spend his free time working with the board.

"He was a guy whose passion was the fair and his family is the same way about it," says friend and co-worker Harley Underwood.

His other passion was making people smile.

"Great sense of humor. He liked to play some practical jokes, liked to tease. He was sort of our sergeant at arms at board meetings," recalls Lancaster. "He'd collect a dollar if you were late, a dollar if you had your cell phone go off. And then we'd give that money to charity."

"He had a pretty good sense of humor, there's no doubt about that. And yet he could be serious. He believed what he believed and he didn't mind telling you," remembers Underwood.

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