Clarence "Clancy" Ross was born in Oakland, California on October 26, 1923, the second of the four children of Hershel Ross, a teamster, and his wife Jeannette Levi. His mother died when he was a youngster and Ross grew up in a series of foster homes.

He started weight training at age 17, weighing 135 pounds at a height of 5'10".

He was motivated by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to enlist in the Air Force, which he did on October 31, 1942 at San Francisco, and was then stationed in Las Vegas.

In 1945, Ross won the AAU Mr. America contest in Los Angeles. He appeared on the covers of most of the popular physique magazines of the time - including Your Physique, Iron Man, Muscle Power and Health and Strength.

After leaving the service in November, 1945, Ross opened a gym in Alameda, California.

On March 13, 1948, Ross won the Mr. USA contest in Los Angeles ahead of the 1947 Mr. America, Steve Reeves. Ross attempted to defend his title in 1949, but placed second to John Grimek. However, he finished ahead of Steve Reeves, becoming one of only two men to beat Reeves twice (along with Grimek).

Bodybuilding Giant Dies

05/16/2008

Clancy Ross was a bodybuilding Mr. America in 1945 who still wanted to stay fit at 84. So a month ago, he lobbied through the Bay Area Newspaper Group for exercise equipment to be donated to the Concord home for the elderly where he lived.

Immediately, Ross and The Heritage, his residence, were inundated with phone calls. New workout machines would be arriving soon.

Unfortunately, Ross won't be able to use them. He died April 30.

"It's sad," said Polly Olson, assistant administrator at The Heritage. "We're going to dedicate the exercise room to him."

Ross was part of an elite Oakland-trained group of bodybuilders who emerged just after World War II. In a seven-year period, five Oakland musclemen became either the professional or amateur Mr. America. Ross was the first.

From that group came Hollywood film star Steve "Hercules" Reeves and fitness guru Jack LaLanne, although the latter wasn't ever crowned Mr. America. Ross was invited to join LaLanne for an upcoming fitness celebration in Sacramento before his death from cardiac arrest at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

"He'll remain part of bodybuilding history forever," said his son, Lance Ross, 46, who lives in San Lorenzo.

Ross was both amateur and professional Mr. America (1946) before becoming Mr. USA (1949) and Mr. World (1953).

"He was the consummate professional," Lance Ross said of his father. "He enjoyed being healthy and in shape. It was nice having a famous father; I met a lot of famous people. At the end of his life, he became famous again."

Ross became a celebrity at The Heritage after residents learned that a former Mr. America lived in their midst.

"As old as he was, he shaved every day and put on cologne," said his son. "He had a soft heart and was very caring. He was a wonderful father, husband and friend, and an admirable human being. He led an independent life."

As a child growing up in Alameda, Ross was given up for adoption along with two brothers and a sister. He spent his youth in foster homes and orphanages. Bodybuilding brought him stability and recognition.

After retiring from bodybuilding competition, he was district manager for the Hayward Daily Review for 18 years.

In addition to his son, Ross is survived by his former wife, Lois Ross of San Lorenzo, daughter Carol Ross of Pacific Grove and stepson Rene Lassegues of Pleasant Hill.

There was no funeral service. Ross donated his body to science.