Mostly Cloudy, 58° F
(Dec. 31, 1917 - April 17, 2011)
Fred James Rose died peacefully April 17, 2011 at Powell Valley Care Center. He was 93.
Fred was born in Lebanon, Mo., on Dec. 31, 1917, the youngest of six children born to Emmett and May Rose. At an early age, Fred moved with is family to Lingle, Wyo., where his father farmed.
Fred married Velma “Betty” Rose in a double wedding ceremony in Phoenix on March 29, 1942. They lived in California for their young married years, settling in San Diego where both worked in an airplane factory during World War II. Eventually, Fred enlisted in the Army. After he completed his military service, he was a machinist with Lockeed Martin.
Their first daughter, Judy, was born in San Diego.
In 1951, pursuing a lifelong dream, they bought a farm in Caldwell, Idaho and began farming and operating a dairy. Their son Terry was born in Idaho.
In 1960, they decided to move back to their beloved Wyoming, bought a farm on Heart Mountain and together operated a very successful farming operation. They retired in the Heart Mountain area and began to travel, enjoying the “snow bird” route. They lived in California again for a time until their health prevented them from traveling.
During Fred’s retired years, he enjoyed working with rocks, cutting and polishing them for belt buckles and jewelry. Fred enjoyed fishing, although he said he always brought home more rocks he’d found that fish he’d caught. No one can deny that Fred had the best sense of humor, including anyone in the care center where those who cared for him loved his humor and daily jokes.
After 67 years of a happy marriage, Betty preceded Fred in death in 2009. He was the last survivor of his siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Judy (Terry) Jones of Powell and son Terry of Cody; and five granddaughters, Jennifer Melton of Scottsdale, Ariz., Janelle Jones of Thornton, Colo., Tanya (Travis) Hernandez of Prescott Valley, Ariz., Amy Rose of New York and Robyn Rose of South Dakota. He loved visits from and seeing photos of his three great-granddaughters, Kylee Melton and Taryn and Teagan Hernandez.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 21 at 11 a.m at the Thompson Funeral Home chapel, followed by burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. The family has requested condolences be sent online at www.thompsonfuneral.net or to P.O. Box 807, Powell WY 82435.
Thompson Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.
