REV. JAMES L. ROSE

REVEREND JAMES L. ROSE

Reverend James Lester Rose, 97, of Piqua joined his Lord and Savior at 9:20 a.m., Thursday, September 9, 2021. He was born July 22, 1924 in Stillwater, Kentucky to the late Willie and Sarah Caroline (Whisman) Rose. He married Orphia B. Patton August 28, 1946 in Winchester, Kentucky, a marriage that would span over 75 years; and she survives.

Other survivors include a son, Charlie “Buster” Rose of Piqua; two daughters, Sharon L. (Bruce) Marcum of Woodland, California, Shirley A. (Robert “Bob”) Villaire of Prescott, Arizona; two grandchildren, Jamie (Josh) Boone of Woodland, California; Jenna (Nathan) Washatka of Cincinnati, Ohio; six great grandchildren, Modi, Beatrix, and Pippin Boone; Eliza, Harriet, and Thomas Washatka; and a sister, Rausie Stamper of West Carrollton. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra K. (Ray) Hudnall, five brothers, and four sisters.

Jim served with the United States Army during World War II as a B-17 Crew Chief. He attended Vocational School at age 17 in Paintsville, Kentucky and at WPAFB studying aircraft radio and electrical components. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1943 and attended aerial gunnery school. He was among the top ten of six hundred students and was rewarded with a special flight on the B-17. He survived being shot down on his first mission - his damaged aircraft was escorted by Tuskegee Airmen, barely landed in friendly Poland; was picked up by a Russian pilot; and eventually returned to his unit where he continued to serve past war’s end. He was decorated with the American Theatre Medal with 3 stars, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and Presidential Unit Citation.

He was employed at NCR in 1946 and retired after 30 years. Then he felt called to the ministry and began as a Lay Pastor at East Park Church of God for several years before becoming the initial Pastor of Piqua’s Snyder Road Church of God for seventeen years. Following his Pastorate, he was regularly sought after to fill pulpits and serve as an Interim Pastor for various churches and denominations for many years. He loved being with family, and enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing and hunting. He was known for making the world around him a better place and will be remembered for his devotion to God, engaging smile, and true friendship. He will be deeply missed by his loving family, wonderful neighbors (who provided for him throughout the pandemic), and countless church friends. In his last days, the family was surprised to discover in 1966 he was bestowed the honor of Kentucky Colonel.

Jim’s favorite verse: “And they said to one another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32 KJV).

A private graveside service will be conducted at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Clark County with Pastor Donald Curtis officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the Veterans Elite Tribute Squad. Arrangements are handled through the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s name are suggested to V.E.T.S., P. O. Box 720, Piqua, OH 45356. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com.

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