James Michael Rose

James Michael Rose, known as “Michael” to his friends and family, passed away peacefully at his home in Richmond, Texas at age 75 on January 22, 2020. He was a lifelong wanderer with endless curiosity who sought always to better himself, tempering his natural pull toward mischief with continuous commitment to discipline and self-improvement.

He was born to parents Eugene A. Rose and Cecelia A. Rojefski in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 9, 1945. Michael yearned to wander from a young age after surviving polio, which left him bedridden for many months and gave him his distinct long-legged gait. Spurred by an unhappy home life after the death of his father at age 12, at age 18 he struck out to see the world from the deck of a ship, but was rejected from the United States Navy for flat feet and poor eyesight. Undaunted, sufficiently dissolute and clever, he became a cook on a Mississippi River boat without knowing how to cook. He was nearly thrown overboard his first night, but cooking became a lifelong hobby. He perfected dishes such as red beans and rice, roast pork shoulder, smothered fried pork chops, and garlic with just about anything. His time on the Mississippi River ended when the Vietnam War began and the draft made him an ideal candidate overnight.

He leaped at the chance to serve his country in the U.S. Navy, where he was mentored and molded by officers who saw his appetite for learning and need for guidance. These were the most formative years of his life personally and professionally, attending the Navy’s prestigious Air Conditioning and Refrigeration school as well as the Auxiliary Boat Engineering School, and reaching the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. During his service, his son James Matthew Rose was born to his first wife Karla Rose on October 15, 1967. James and Michael shared a love of cooking, open water, and a knack for mischief.

Now a father and a marine engineer, Michael was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and honorably discharged at the end of the Vietnam War. He continued to educate himself, using the G.I. Bill to enroll in the University of South Florida and study economics. He became the USF Student Government Secretary of Finance and chairman of the Student Finance Committee, and upon graduating joined the office of Jim Redman, Representative in the Florida State Legislature, as staff director of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee. Jim Redman’s example of sacrifice, service and integrity struck a deep chord and Michael lived his life Mr. Redman’s image--never shirking from difficult or undesirable duties and completing them to the best of his ability.

Service to the state of Florida unexpectedly brought him fortune and adventure when an anonymous letter describing corruption, intimidation and embezzlement for personal gain by State Treasurer Tom O’Malley and Education Commissioner Floyd Christian landed on his desk. Mr. Redman tasked him with leading the investigation, which involved a trip to the Bahamas to investigate offshore bank accounts with counsel and partner Marvin Rudnick, personal threats, secret midnight meetings with journalists, and other adventures too sordid for print. Capers aside, his untiring work and meticulous attention to the facts earned him a reputation in the capitol as a “quiet, stubborn investigator” and “straight arrow.” After 14 months of investigation, he and Mr. Rudnick were victorious. Christian pleaded guilty and served time in prison. O’Malley was impeached but the conviction was dropped in exchange for his resignation--which frustrated Michael to no end. However, the IRS took interest in O’Malley based on Michael and Mr. Rudnick’s investigation and he ultimately served time in prison.

When Michael was ousted from his post in 1975 in an act of retribution by state politicos, he left the state for Puerto Rico. Always an avid reader, he taught himself Spanish during his six-month tenure at a securities firm where met his second wife, Lizzie Rose Buonomo. Together, they moved to Dallas, Texas, where Michael entered the shipping and logistics industry, before settling permanently in Houston. Realizing he was too outspoken to last long in the corporate world, he decided to work for himself. He co-founded and then became sole owner of ROAM Enterprises, today ROAM Tank Innovations, a bulk liquid solutions and logistics company specializing in flexitanks and isotanks for intermodal transport. His daughter Alexandra Michelle Rose was born on March 24, 1990 and she became his lifelong travel companion on business trips around the world, preparing her for her role as President of ROAM Tank Innovations.

ROAM was Michael’s lifelong passion, allowing him to travel the world and exercise his engineering ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. As a small business owner, his marine engineering skillset and his affable nature allowed him solutionize his way out of trouble more than once. More than a businessman, he was a true entrepreneur who patented designs for a method to ship or store dry particulate matter as well as a method to transport heat-sensitive liquids. He was generous with his time and mentorship, and developed an international reputation for leadership and integrity that preceded him--as did his unique way of communicating. When asked to qualify his small company’s success to a potential business partner, he responded, “I put my daughter through Harvard without any loans. Is that successful?” Despite his accomplishments, he kept his lowest points close and sought to share his experiences, strengths and hopes with any in need. He was an active member and sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous for over thirty years, and his legacy of sobriety impacted the lives of many in “the club.”

In 2017, he met the woman who would be the love of his life until his death, Connie M. Rose. Their love came as a surprise to her daughters, Chalanda Hook and Donna Balin, as Connie had been single for 25 years since her divorce from their father. They were initially suspicious of Michael, but he quietly and consistently showed them he was worthy of their trust and their mother’s love, and they gave their blessing. They were married on April 7, 2018 and enjoyed many adventures during their time together, cherishing each other until the end. Michael was diagnosed in December of 2019 with pancreatic cancer and passed peacefully surrounded by friends and family at his home in Richmond, Texas. He is survived by son James Matthew Rose, granddaughter Caroline Lindsey Rose, and his children with wife Malesa Oglesbee Rose: Jack Rose and Emma Grace Rose; his daughter Alexandra Rose and her husband Juan Hernández; his children of the heart Chalanda Hook, Donna Balin and her spouse Scott Balin, and their children Asher Balin and Hudson Balin.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to EVkids, a non-profit tutoring program for children that Michael supported.