Senator Ross O. Doyen , 87, Concordia, passed away on July 3, 2014. He was born to Orville "Bo" and Millie (Derby) Doyen on October 1, 1926 in Rice, KS. Ross graduated from Concordia High School in 1944 and joined the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at several locations before finally serving at Patuxent River, Maryland. While in the U.S. Navy, Ross worked as an aircraft mechanic on C-54 transport planes. He returned to Kansas after WWII and earned a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Kansas State University in 1950. Ross was a lifelong farmer and rancher and loved serving his community.

He began his political career in Topeka in 1959 as a Republican Representative in the Kansas House. He was elected to the Kansas Senate in 1968. He served as President of the Kansas Senate from 1975-1984, served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and was President of the National Conference of State Legislators. During his 35 years of public service, he won 22 elections, never losing to an opponent. Ross was responsible for introducing legislation that added the state name to the Kansas flag in 1961. He was known for his strong leadership, his masterful legislative strategy, his sense of humor, and his ability to get things done.

A highlight of his political service was a flight on Air Force One with President Ronald Reagan. Ross served on President Reagan's New Federalism advisory board in Washingt0n, DC and also had the honor of working with Presidents Ford, Carter, and Bush during his career. He served on numerous committees and boards in his lifetime including the Council of State Governments, the Brown Grand Theatre Board, the Hospital Board, and had served as a Director on the UMB Bank Board (formerly First National Bank and Trust) since 1968. He was instrumental in the effort to relocate the Orphan Train Museum to Concordia.

Ross married Judy Elniff in 1964 and was a lifelong resident of Cloud County. Ross enjoyed traveling including trips to Germany, Israel, Australia, and Taiwan. Alaska was the only U.S. state he didn't get to see in his many travels.

Ross married Katherine Mosburg in Niagra Falls, NY in 1993. They enjoyed square dancing and social outings with family and friends. Ross enjoyed retirement from politics as an active farmer and rancher but remained involved in many other elections that followed.

Ross is survived by his wife Katherine of the home, his daughter Cynthia Bourg and partner Don Steele of Sebastian, FL, and daughter Angie Danner of Manhattan, KS; stepdaughter Pamela Wheeler and husband Larry Wheeler of Glen Elder, KS; stepson Rich Mosburg of Overland Park, KS; and granddaughter Katie Bourg of New Orleans, LA. He is also survived by his brothers Ray Doyen and wife Peggy of Concordia, Mark Doyen and wife Marjorie of Bartlesville, OK, and sister-in-law Peggy Doyen of Concordia; as well as eight nieces and nephews and his favorite cat Sugar. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lee Doyen, his former wife Judy, and his son-in-law Scott Danner.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, Concordia, KS. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Rice Cemetery, Rice, KS. Visitation will be held from 9 am to 9 pm with the family greeting friends from 6-8 pm, Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. The family suggests memorials to The National Orphan Train Museum, the Cloud County Historical Museum or the Brown Grand Theatre in care of the funeral home.