Joseph "Harold" Rose was born in St. John, Kansas on February 26, 1927 to Joseph Carlos and Minnie Bell Rose and died December 12, 2017 at age 90.
Harold, as a young boy, moved with his family to settle in Two Buttes, Colorado where they farmed for many years. Harold also helped his dad move buildings. On one occasion, Harold's dad was too sick to work and he trusted Harold (at fourteen years old) to drive the truck to move a particular house.
Harold graduated from Two Buttes High School and went on to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific Solomon Islands and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Storekeeper 3rd Class. He used his GI Bill to get his pilot's license and purchased a single engine airplane which he owned and flew for about four years. Few people know that Walsh had a flight school back in 1946, where a large number of people received pilot certification. He carried his pilot's license in his wallet.
For many years Harold lived and worked in Walsh, Colorado where he married Beryl Arlene McGowan and raised three children Elvon, Tamera, and Karla. He worked as a mechanic for the Massey Ferguson and John Deere Dealerships. His wife Beryl died on August 19, 1968.
He also farmed and worked as a long haul trucker for a short period of time. Later he married Marjorie Mercer and they formed H&M Trucking Company. He drove a grain truck until he was 86 years of age.
Harold and Marge moved to Canon City, Colorado in February 2014 to be closer to his daughter, Tamera who helped care for them. Marge died on December 30, 2016.
Harold was fascinated by gadgets and technology. He bought a windmill for more efficient energy, had a geothermal heating and cooling system installed in his home and drove a hybrid Lincoln sedan. He was very handy to have around because if he could imagine it, he could build it.
Harold is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Lucille Deines and Geraldine Wilkerson, and wives Beryl Rose and Majorie Rose.
Harold is survived by sister Pauline Skinner, children Elvon Rose, Tamera (Rose) Groves, and Karla (Rose) Lemke, nine grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.