Community Remembers Late Kavin Ross Honored For Shedding Light On Tulsa's History

The Tulsa community is remembering a Tulsa man who dedicated much of his life to learning and sharing information about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Friends, family and others gathered Monday to remember Kavin Ross, who died earlier this month after a heart attack.

To the public, Kavin was most recently known as the Chair of the Public Oversight Committee for the city's 1921 graves investigation. But to those who knew him best, Kavin will be remembered as curious, always happy, and calm.

A Celebration of Life service for Kavin drew more than 200 people to the Greenwood Cultural Center.

"I didn't know how popular he was until a month ago. He was just my brother,” Edward Ross said.

Kavin's brother, Edward, spoke to the crowd.

"This building was founded by my father,” Edward said, met with applause, during the service.

Their father, former State Representative Don Ross, was a founding member of the Greenwood Cultural Center in the 90s. Don also worked on the state commissioned report on the 1921 Tulsa Race massacre.

Kavin continued his father's efforts to shed light on the massacre and preserve Greenwood's history.

"Historic street, in a historic building, on a historic day, with a guy who loved history. How fitting can it be?" Edward said.

During the search for victims at Oaklawn Cemetery, Kavin worked side by side with Angela Berg, Kary Stacklebeck and Brenda Nails Alford. The three women, and the mayor of Tulsa, all showed up today.

"The one thing he always talked about is people coming together. One accord, doing the same thing at the same time for the betterment of the community,” Edward said.

Millard Jones knew Kavin for years and considered him a friend.

"He was just Kavin and he was someone that you could depend upon. And I just enjoyed being around him,” Jones said.

Kavin was 60 years old.