Booker inspires community to serve

Ross Booker was always helping people.

The community he called home is stepping up in order to honor the fallen firefighter.

Booker’s Blessings is a Facebook Group that was created to honor Booker’s giving spirit and continue his legacy of helping others. The group was created by family friend Becky Ames.

She said Booker’s giving nature was influenced by his family.

“I think so much of that comes from how he was raised and the examples provided by his dad, older brother, and grandpa,” she said. “Ross was raised with a strong faith. He knew that Jesus was his Savior and the very foundation his life was based on. Jesus had a servant’s heart, always saw the good in people, and helped those in need. I firmly believe he found great joy in helping and serving.”
Area businesses and residents are also honoring Booker.

St. Joseph Dairy Queen is holding a fundraiser on Tuesday, March 15 where 15 percent of their net sales will go to the Booker family.

“We wanted to do something for him and the family,” said Assistant manager Stacey Bunch Livingston.

Wagner Signs and Graphics are selling shirts with the proceeds going to the Booker family as well.
“He was a good kid and we wanted to do something to honor him,” said owner Jim Wagner.

A meal train was created to help the family out through the end of April.

A Go Fund Me was also created by Booker’s coworker at Tatman’s Towing, Michael Grice.

“He loved helping people and he always had a smile on his face when doing it,” Grice said.

The proceeds from the Go Fund Me will go to Booker’s family for funeral costs.

Booker’s pastor at United Methodist Church, Gene Turner, said he would have been proud to inspire people to help others.

“He loved helping people and had a caring heart, and if you were privileged enough to call Ross your friend, you knew he had your back and would do anything he could to help you or support you,” Turner said.

Turner said Booker was the kind of person who enjoyed helping people.

“Ross was the kind of person you wanted as a friend,” Turner said. “He was a truly great human being, not perfect, but he was who he was and enjoyed life and helping people.”

Visitation for Booker will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday with a firefighter walk-through at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Graveside services will be held Saturday at Stanton Cemetery after a memorial procession that will start at the Savoy Walmart at 10 a.m. The procession is to draw attention to Scott’s Law which requires people to pull over and slow down for emergency vehicles.