Roger D. Rose

Roger Derrellynn Rose  (Family Written Obituary)

On March 29, 2024, Roger Derrellynn Rose, 79 went to be with the Lord. He was born on March 6, 1945, to Richard and Victoria (Caldwell) Rose in Denver, Colorado. He was the eldest of their two sons. Roger was then the longest surviving Rose by three generations. Roger spent his childhood years playing sports and tried to stay out of trouble by being in community organizations. He learned the tricks of the trade by assisting his parents at their Pontiac Dealership. Roger graduated from Liberal High School in 1963. 

After graduating from Liberal High School in 1963, he married in 1966 to Sheryl Hart, who blessed him with three children Tammy, Rick, and Vicky. Roger was proud to be a Daddy and enjoyed the superior role God had gifted him. Roger enjoyed engaging in children’s lives as he volunteered at community activities which some was as Cub Master for Cub Scouts. Which was only fitting considering he was an Eagle Scout. The thrill of ‘going fast’ was always in his blood. Throughout the years Roger became a pilot and enjoyed flying planes. He enjoyed racing cars until 1977 when he had a serious racing car accident at Ripper Raceway in Liberal .  As Roger’s recovery was slow his days of ‘fast’ cars came to a sudden halt.  Roger’s gift of being able to repair and reconstruct automobiles was impeccable and he became known as ‘one of best’ autobody man in the area.  

As the years passed, Roger and Sheryl divorced. Roger married Carol Sue in 1981 and through this union, he took on a son Paul and a daughter Sharla. Adding to his family gave him much joy. Roger and Carol moved to Amarillo, Texas where he was a car salesperson for many years. Roger changed gears and became an insurance adjustor which allowed Carol and Roger to travel and see America until 2003. 

Roger moved back to Liberal to help his mother manage the family business Richard Rose Pontiac-Oldsmobile-GMC and Executive Car Rental after the passing of his father. Later, after his mother passed, Roger became the owner and dealer of Richard Rose Pontiac-GMC. In 2010 General Motors abruptly filed for bankruptcy and cut Richard Rose as a franchise. Putting an end to the  sixty-eight-year business started in 1942. Roger took on retirement life.

In 2020 Roger came to live with his son Rick and wife Mary and their children Farrah and Axl. Roger took the role of Grandpa seriously. He prided himself on his presence with his grandchildren. He was there with a chuckle, a smile ear to ear, a helping hand, and a warm hug. He enjoyed seeing his grandkids in Cub Scouts and Scouts. In 2020 Roger was only guaranteed 6 months to live and dementia started setting in, but as his quality of life became richer and his final years had purpose with Rick and Mary. As the years passed, he may not remember what he had for lunch, but he would remember what day the fishing trip started and that he still smoked that good ol’ cigarette. 

    “Sorry guys I cannot make him wait, but I am finished here, I am off to the lake. So put me on a boat and hand me my pole, cause I am headed up the fishing hole. Where everyday is a day to fish, and I bet you can guess who I am fishing with. Don’t worry or feel sad for me cause I am living every fisherman’s dream. We will miss each other for awhile but it will not be long before you’ll see my smile. If others wonder why I am missing, you just tell them I’ve gone fishing.”-Author Unknown

Roger was an animal lover and believed every puppy dog should be loved on. Roger was a six foot truly kind blue-eyed man who had a sweet tooth and was gentle hearted with a “smug of whiskey” of orneriness. There were times his heart strings were tugged during his car deals; he believed in paying it forward. He helped with housework, always finished his plate (except for peas) and not having dirty hands or cracked knuckles, meant you were not working hard enough. He was a truly devoted and faithful Christian. Roger loved singing in the church choir as their baritone. His voice was deep, and you felt it to your bones as he bellowed out. His laugh was contiguous. He would giggle as he told the best jokes, whether they were ‘appropriate’ or not. He believed a man was to provide for family no matter what it took. Roger was a man of iron. Cheated death several times. 

He will be immensely missed by his family. He leaves behind his children,  son Rick and wife Mary Rose of Liberal, Kansas, daughter Victoria of Beaver Dam, Arizona, son Paul and wife Lyn Donovan of Canyon City, Colorado, and daughter Sharla Osborn of Canyon, Texas. 

Roger is rejoicing in the presence of his Lord, his father Richard, his mother Victoria, his brother Michael, his daughter Tammy, his granddaughter Shannan, and his beloved wife Carol.

Pallbearers are his sons Rick Rose and Paul Donovan, grandson’s Dalyn Rose, Brendan Rose, Lathan Rose, and close friend Kelly Archer. Honorary Pallbearers are his grandsons Axl Rose, Mikennon Donovan, Jason Elder and lifelong friend Gary Olinger.

Roger had a total of 15 grandchildren: Jason, Dalyn, Kendra, Brendan, Shannan, Lathan, Mikennon, Farrah, Axl, Nesa, Trent, William, Cheyanne, Garrett, and Emily.  Which gave him many great-grandchildren to continue his legacy. 

Viewing will be 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday April 3, 2024 at Miller Mortuary.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 pm Thursday April 4, 2024 at the Miller Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Dalkey Davis, officiating.

Burial will follow at the Liberal City Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to be made payable to the Liberal Animal Shelter or Angel's for Animal's in care of Miller Mortuary PO Box 826 Liberal, KS 67901.