John Rose

John Ellis Rose, 84, of Clifton passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Clifton with Dr. Jerry Smith officiating. A military graveside service will take place at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen on Thursday at 2 P.M.

John Ellis Rose was born on February 13, 1933 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was the middle son of three sons born to C.H. and Otis Rose. He spent most of his youth growing up in the Dallas area. His father C.H. was Vice-President of Eastern Freight Company. John graduated from Oak Cliff High School. He spent four years in the Navy before transferring over the United States Air Force.

He married Kurako Fugawa in Japan on June 11, 1954 while John was serving in the U.S. Navy. The couple moved to Sherman, Texas in 1956 when John began his service in the United States Air Force. For the next 16 years, the couple made their homes all over the world with John’s different military assignments at home and abroad. During their stay in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, a son Derek was born in 1961.

John retired from his military duties after twenty years of service. The couple moved to Clifton in 1971 and bought the White’s Auto Store located on the corner of 5th and South Ave. F. They operated this White’s Auto Store for 10 years until the company went broke. They then operated an Otasco Store for a number of years before it also went out of business. John and Kurako kept Rose’s Lawnmower service going selling engine parts and repairing all sorts of lawnmowers and small engines from their building.

They eventually sold the building and retired. John was an avid pilot and co-owned several airplanes across his lifetime with long-time friend Bob Conley. He loved flying. He also loved to ride his motorcycle cross country. He also was a master mechanic and rebuilt several planes, motorcycles, and scooters along with numerous lawnmowers. He had a love for working on all kinds of engines, and enjoyed the challenge of making one run perfectly.

He enjoyed traveling, golfing, and spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed old western movies and was a member of the morning coffee club of Clifton.

He was preceded in death by his parents C.H. and Otis Rose, and one brother Joe Rose.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kurako Rose of Clifton, by his son Derek and two grandchildren Andrew and Katie Rose all of Temple. He is also survived by his brother Darrel Rose of Clifton and a sister-in-law Kimiko Fukuda and a brother-in-law Masahitsa Fukawa of Japan.