Elvon Lew Rose was born in Lamar, CO on November 15, 1950, to Harold and Beryl (McGowan) Rose. He passed away at his home in Walsh, CO on October 5th, 2023 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Elvon called Baca County, CO home his entire life, having strayed from there only a few times. He attended the Konantz School east of Walsh, through the 5th grade and graduated Walsh High School in 1969. After high school, he tried his hand at college in Goodwell, OK but found that wasn't for him and went to work at Baca County Feeders riding pens. The Draft Board came calling in 1970 and he served in the US Army until his discharge in 1972. He didn't go far, serving at Fort Riley, KS working as a medic at Irwin Army Community Hospital assisting in the care for Soldiers that had returned from Vietnam. After his discharge from the Army, Elvon returned home to help work the McGowan family farm and eventually took over the operation from his Grandad, Neal "Dick" McGowan.

He married Giselle Dismukes in 1972 and later moved out to the farm east of Walsh, where they raised three boys Joey, Cory, and Clay. He continued to farm, after getting divorced, until the mid-1990's when it was no longer profitable. He moved on to working farm jobs around Walsh and driving a semi for several different operations. If you had an hour to spare and felt so inclined, you could ask him about truck driving.

Elvon was very involved in the community during the 70's and 80's having served on the Walsh School Board, Co-op Association, and served as a leader in the 4-H club where his three boys were active members. His favorite project was teaching his boys to ride horses and traveling to a multitude of horse shows.

Dad always had a strong work ethic and a knack for turning junk into something useful, sometimes at the behest of his sons who had to operate that equipment. Regardless of our opinion on using the equipment, he passed on his vast mechanical ability which has served all of us well. Whether he was taking an old farm implement and re-purposing it into a stock trailer, re-building an engine, or attaching two Case 930 tractors together to make one (he was always proud of that contraption and evidently it was quite the work horse), he always had a creative and mechanical mind. Late in his life, he turned into quite the artist with his welder, using horseshoes to fashion Christmas tree gifts for family members.

He was always proud of what his three sons had grown up to be and would frequently tell people about his seven grandchildren and his brand-new great-granddaughter.

Elvon is survived by his two sisters, Karla Lemke of Gentry, AR; Tamera (Bob) Groves of Crestview, FL; his three sons Joey Rose of Lubbock, TX; Cory (Calandra) Rose of Goodwell, OK; and Clay (Angela) Rose of Manhattan, KS. Grandchildren include Desiree, Wesley, Laney, and Piper Rose; DR. Makenna Rose and Tyrun Rose; and Alaina Rose. Desiree Rose recently blessed him with his first great-granddaughter, Freya Rose.

Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. on October 13th, 2023 at the Walsh Cemetery. Family and friends will gather after the service at the Walsh Community Building to share memories and have lunch.

In lieu of flowers and plants, please consider donating to your favorite Cancer charity, the American Legion, or just spend time with someone that is suffering with cancer.