RICHARD LEE ROSE

RICHARD LEE ROSE, resident of the Rossville Community, decorated United States Army Vietnam Veteran and U.S. Postal Employee died at 8:30 A.M. Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Collierville where he had been a patient for two days. He was 59 years of age and died following a nine-month illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Rose were conducted at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 25th at Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. David Cross of Collierville, officiating. Special remarks and reflections were provided by Craig Brewer and Mr. Rose's granddaughter, Summer White, who was assisted by his daughter-in-law, Kelli Rose. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Fisherville First Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Rose was born in Millington, Tennessee on February 27, 1950 to John Richard Rose, Jr. who died December 6, 1998 and Ramona Lee McElwain Rose, who died November 15, 2006.

After completing his education, Mr. Rose enlisted in the United States Army December 3, 1968 at the age of eighteen and served in the Vietnam war until his discharge three years later on November 29, 1971. An expert M-16 rifleman, Mr. Rose received numerous service awards and decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

After serving in the war, Mr. Rose returned home to Fayette County where he wed at an early age and worked as a Sales Manager at the former True Value Hardware Store on the Somerville Square for many years and continued his education at the State Technical Institute in Memphis.

Mr. Rose had been employed with the U. S. Postal Service for twenty years before his death and was honored by his fellow co-workers and union members at his service.

He was married August 12, 1995 to Lorie Throneberry, an employee of the Jolly Roofing Company in Collierville, who survives.

A true friend to many, he was an avid history buff who loved traveling with his wife and family, outdoor grilling, gardening and fishing.

Mr. Rose will be remembered fondly as an excellent story teller known for his delightful embellishments into what could only be considered "tall tales" and his exclamation, " MALAHACHI! ", a special magic word/curse of which only he knew the true meaning.

He endeared all who knew him, especially children who recognized in him a kindred spirit and quickly adopted him as one of their own.

In addition to his devoted wife, Mr. Rose is survived by his daughter, Marty Lee Rose White (Joe) of Somerville; his son, Richard (Lee) Rose, Jr. (Kelli) of Wharton, TX; two sisters, Janice Hayes (Dennis) of Whiteville and Sharon Green (Brian) of Hickory Withe; two brothers, Michael Rose of Somerville and Mark Rose of Oakland and three grandchildren: Autumn Nicole White, Summer Danielle White and Zachary Allen White, all of Somerville and a host of friends and co-workers who will greatly miss him.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Renee Rose and a brother, John Anthony Rose.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were David Clement, Brian Green, Dennis Hayes, Jesse Hayes, Mark Rose, Richard (Lee) Rose, Jr., Gil Throneberry and Jody Throneberry.

The family request that Memorials be directed to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942, Phone: 1-800-805-5856.