John Terry Rose

John Terry Rose, of Groesbeck, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2013, at his home, with his wife at his side. He battled cancer for three years with a very positive attitude. His positive attitude was, “never give up.” At the age of 59, he lost the battle but left his family with valuable life lessons and all his love. Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 15, 2013, prior to the services to be held at Victory Baptist Church near Groesbeck. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, with Chaplain Jim Sorley and Brother Billy Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Cobb Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Don Collins, Bobby Recknor, Mike Little, J. J. King, Mark Washington, and Kevin Stone. Abe Smith will be an honorary pallbearer. John was born October 18, 1953 in Beaumont to John Calvin Rose and Nettie Arlene (Campbell Rose). He grew up in La Marque and graduated from La Marque High School, and then attended College of the Mainland in Texas City. He worked as a police officer at Hitchcock and Bayou Vista. After moving to Groesbeck in 1997, he met and married the love of his life, Sharon Jeanene Collins White. John and Sharon were united in marriage on July 7, 1998 at Calvary Christian Center in Oakwood, Texas. They made their home in Groesbeck, and John started working as a correctional officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, at the Boyd Unit in Teague. John was a well-known gunsmith and spent much of his free time tinkering with guns for himself and for the public. With John Wayne for a hero, he loved all things western, and especially loved to dress in “old west” clothes, vests, big hats, and long coats. He was very distinctive-looking in his dress and would have fit right in living in the old west days. In addition to working on guns, he also loved hunting and fishing. He loved his family and enjoyed the time spent with the grandchildren. During his cancer treatments he found that playing video games helped him endure the period of treatments. John was a member of the Victory Baptist Church, where he was baptized April 29, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Rose of Groesbeck; his parents, John Calvin and Nettie Arlene Rose of Texas City; his son, John Wesley Rose and wife Jen of Texas City and their four children Jacob, Hannah, Jessica, and Brandon Lee Rose of Texas City; step-daughter, Brandi White and Mark Washington of Groesbeck, and Brandi’s two children, Skylar and Kennedy Brown. Also surviving is a niece, Tracy Nelson. He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Hanks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society to continue research for the cure.