Area music fans are heartbroken to learn of the passing of longtime Newport resident Ross Raleigh, owner of the Southgate House Revival. No other personality in the regional live music community was more beloved than Ross, who brought joy and friendship to hundreds of thousands of music fans, opening the doors of our region’s most highly regarded music venue to fans of all types of music for close to five decades. Ross retired from the Northern Kentucky District Health Department and was a member and Past Master of The Robert Burns Lodge 163; he was a Shriner as well. Ross graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s in Education, and from Xavier University with a Master‘s in Philosophy. He was also an avid art and history buff, and enjoyed watching classic and Western films.
Ross is preceded in death by his wife Velma Sue, his mother and father, one brother, and two sisters. Ross is survived by his daughter Morrella of Newport, his son Kevin of Covington, and a brother and three sisters, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 11, from 3-9pm at Radel Funeral Home on York Street in Newport; immediately followed by a celebration of Ross’ life at the Southgate House Revival at 111 E. 6th Street in Newport. Service will also be held on Wednesday, June 13, at 11am at Deaton Funeral Home in Jackson, Kentucky; followed by burial at Griffith Cemetery in Sebastian’s Branch, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Shriner‘s Hospital for Children.
Condolences(2) 
Charollet Schworer says
June 11, 2018 at 12:02 amMorrell, you were Jim’s best friend of all times. I hold dearly the great memories of you, Sue, and Morella.
I will never forget your endearing sense of humor and all those “extra” movie roles, including “Cannon Ball Run”. There is a great reunion in heaven right about now.
Love you,
Charollet
Bill Fritsch says
July 12, 2018 at 4:11 amMorrell, you were one of the most easy going, pleasant individuals I’ve ever worked with and I so enjoyed visiting you at the Southgate House long after you left the Health Dept. Every time I watched “Stripes”, I looked for you in the bus station behind Bill Murray. What a fascinating life you had and the world is a little bit sadder for your passing. I know you’ll book some great music for everyone on the other side. All the best, ~Bill