Ross grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He took accordion lessons from kindergarten through high school and, over the years, taught himself to play several other musical instruments. His family assumed he would become a musician, and he also showed an aptitude for dance. Ultimately, Ross pursued a career in banking, retiring in 2026 after a long career with Chase. Throughout the years, however, music and dance remained an important part of his life—especially as a square dancer and square dance caller.

Ross began square dancing in 1984 with Puddletown Squares in Seattle, Washington, and now dances through the Advanced program. He attended his first GCA Caller School in 2006 and continued developing his calling skills by hosting the Emerald City Jamboree during the summer months in Seattle. He gained additional experience calling warm-up tips for Puddletown Squares' Mainstream classes and calling sessions for Gay Callers Association callers at the annual International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC) Convention.

Over the years, Ross has called square dances in Washington, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah and Washington, D.C., as well as Vancouver, British Columbia, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has also called at the Utah State Fair, the Pioneer Day Extravaganza in Provo, Utah, and the 40th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, facilitating introductory workshops in Modern Square Dancing.

Square dancing also played an important role in Ross's personal life: it's how he met his husband, Justin Crawshaw. Their family moved to the Salt Lake City area in 2007.

Ross is a co-founder and Club Caller for Temple Squares, Utah's LGBTQ+ square dance club and a welcoming home for friends and allies. Since moving to Utah, Ross has called for numerous public and private events, including birthdays, family reunions, church hoedowns and nonprofit events.

Ross and Justin share a home in North Salt Lake, Utah, affectionately known as La Casa de Crawshaw-Lopton.

Ross calls the Basic, Mainstream and Plus programs and is an avid supporter of Square Dance ABC. He is BMI/ASCAP licensed and a member of CALLERLAB and the Gay Callers Association.

In 2017, Ross and Justin were presented with the prestigious Golden Boot Award by Keith Gehrig at the annual IAGSDC Convention in Palm Springs, California.

In 2018, Ross was elected Treasurer of the Tri-Valley Square Dance Association.

Now retired, Ross enjoys having more time for square dancing, calling, quilting, sewing, traveling and the many other projects and adventures that keep life interesting.

Follow Ross on Facebook to see what he's up to.