James Ross, building unique homes

James Ross and fiancee Charlotte Hunter

James P. Ross grew up on the family ranch in Bigfoot off FM 472 where he lived with his dad, James S. Ross. He created fond memories hunting, fishing, and helping his dad farm and ranch. But, following graduation (DHS ’89), James moved to Corpus Christi to be closer to his mother, Mary Dippel-Mikeman, and grandparents, Perry and Adele Dippel. During this time, James worked as a surveyor for Bay Ltd out of Corpus. Then, following the loss of his mother, who died of cancer in 2002, James moved to La Vernia where he resides today.
James and his fiancée, Charlotte Hunter, plan to be married this April in Luling. They bring to their marriage three children. James’ 19-year-old son, Colton Perry Ross, named after James’ grandfather, Perry Dippel, was born in 1997 as a 3lb, 1 oz preemie. Charlotte has a daughter, Jolie Hunter, who is 14. Together, the couple has a son, James Case, who is three.
Today, James is co-owner and partner of JP Ross Homes, a business he began in 2005 with Ernest Mokry. These are custom homes built for families in and around South Texas. James proudly touts, “Each home is as different and unique as the family I am building it for.” And he adds, “With a commitment to quality and attention to detail, JP Ross Homes has established a reputation for providing an exceptional value for the investment.” James enjoys working with people and “taking their dream and vision and making it a reality.” Over the years, he has built homes for family and friends, and he adds that clients who weren’t friends in the beginning have become so.
James still has his family’s land in Bigfoot – his father passed away in 2011 – and is in the process of remodeling the house he grew up in. And he has relatives who also still live in Bigfoot, including his aunts: Patricia Murphy and her husband, Joe, and Martha Knight and her husband, David. James is currently building a house on family property for one of his cousins. And incidentally, another cousin, Donnie Murphy, is the owner/operator of Murphy’s Meat Market in Devine.
Although he loves his work, James has other activities which he enjoys. One that goes back to his youth is his delight in hunting for and collecting arrowheads. He usually takes a trip at least once a year with some friends to dig for arrowheads in various places throughout the state. As a result, he has quite a collection, something for which he takes great pride and says, “I would never part with or sell any of them.” Among James’ other pastimes are going on family cruises and hunting on his deer lease in Sabinal
Looking to the future, James says he is excited about the direction his business is going. The company has expanded and built some restaurants and other businesses. And James says that this time of the year is especially busy. “I love being busy, but I won’t ever have so much going that I can’t give the attention I need to each individual homeowner. Walking each customer through the process and being there throughout it is important to me,” he explains. James feels that offering that personal touch is what keeps him in good standing with his clients, and that, in turn, keeps the referrals coming.

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