Stanley D. Rose

Funeral services for Stanley Donald Rose will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sherman, Texas at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 22, 2015. Rosary will be said at Bratcher Funeral Home in Denison on Wednesday, October 21 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Pallbearers will be the United States Air Force Honor Guard from Sheppard Air Force Base.

Stan was born March 2, 1929 in Allentown, Pennsylvania and passed from this life at his home in Denison on Sunday afternoon, October 18, surrounded by many friends and neighbors whom he thought of as his family.

His loving wife Mary preceded Stan in death. They were married for fifty-three years. His sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Julius Iacocca of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Carolyn Shaw and a host of friends and neighbors living on Ransom Circle in Denison survive Stan. Many nieces and nephews in Texas and Pennsylvania also survive him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, 727 S. Travis Street in Sherman, Texas 75090 or to a favorite charity.

Stan was a gregarious, generous, humble and friendly man who loved people and easily made new friends. He always showed true concern for others and their life situations, even while on his deathbed. He often commented that he had been blessed beyond any measure than he deserved.

Stan was a career military man. He served his beloved country in the United States Air Force as a pilot. He served in the Korean War and in Viet Nam. He was awarded the Korean Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with three clusters, Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with cluster, Air Medal with three clusters, and the Bronze Star. Stan rose up through the ranks to achieve the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In the later part of his career, he served as the Base Commander of March Air Force Base in California.

After his retirement from military duty, Stan actively participated in volunteer activities. He participated in the Denison Citizens Police Academy, the Lions Club, served in numerous positions as a board member of the Blood Bank, volunteered in the Heart Mender Program for patients who experienced open heart surgery and was a TMC volunteer with over 5,000 hours of service.

One of Stan’s passions was great food. While in the Air Force, Stan and Mary were privileged to eat gourmet cuisine in many exotic ports. In the past few years, Stan loved the food served to him by Angela Boedeker at Angela’s Café. Stan ate with Angela on a daily basis.

Stan loved dogs and he and his wife Mary rescued many dogs over the years by adopting them from the animal shelter. Stan also loved many people and many people loved Stan, especially the neighbors on his street. They were an extremely tight knit group whom fellowshipped often and looked out for each other daily. Every year, Stan hosted at least two block parties at his home, catered by Angela’s Café.

His neighbors truly were his family and his passing will leave a void in the hearts of his neighbors that cannot be filled. Stan was a blessing to all and was blessed in return.

Personal condolences may be made at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com