Cordell Rose

Cordell Rose, age 77, passed away on June 14, 2026, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He began his life’s journey on March 13, 1949, in Jackson County, Kentucky, born to the late Willie Irvin and Demi Jane (Fox) Rose.

Cordell spent his early years working in various jobs in Kentucky, where he welcomed his first daughter, Sandra, with then wife, LouGene. Looking for adventure, Cordell and his close friend, Eddie, headed out of state to explore, eventually landing in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma became his home, and it was there that he built his large, blended family. He spent 18 beautiful years married to his deeply loved wife, Mabel, blending their lives with her children, Elvina, Francis and Tim. Later, they welcomed twins, Raymond, who passed at birth, and Robert, and many years later, their daughter, Amanda.

Following Mabel’s passing, Cordell accepted two more children in his life, James and Marsha, during his marriage to Donna. Later in life, he found love again with Teresa, sharing 24 cherished years together until her passing in 2022. Cordell also had twin daughters that he only met once.

Professionally, Cordell was a true jack-of-all-trades. Known to everyone as “MacGyver,” he possessed an uncanny ability to fix absolutely anything. If he didn’t have the right tool for a job, he simply fabricated one himself – and he did it all at his own pace, famously refusing to ever get in a hurry. Over the years, he became a staple of the local automotive community. He worked as a paint and body specialist for Greenhaw Eddings Ford and went on to own Bumper to Bumper Salvage and Auto Repair. Alongside business partner, Danny Northington, he co-owned Bumper to Bumper Wrecker Service. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to operate a local car lot, a motorcycle shop, and two tire shops.

Cordell lived life to the fullest. He loved riding his motorcycle across the United States with his friends and family and fondly remembered travelling down into Mexico. He spent his downtime fishing, listening to old country and good ol’ fashioned rock and roll and being surrounded by his grandbabies. He was also known for his sharp humor and his intense dislike for snakes. He was always saying they had the wrong name, “snake, “ and warned that if you brought one near him, you had better be ready to run.

Cordell leaves behind a large, loving family including his five sisters, Geraldean Carpentar and Barbara Sparks and husband, Cliff, of Richmond, Indiana, Loni Anglin, Beverly Combs and Cleo Smith and husband, Bill, of McKee, Kentucky. Cordell is also survived by his children Francis Nez and wife, Peggy, Robert Rose and wife, Elizabeth, and Amanda Rose of Tahlequah, OK and Marsha and James; along with grandchildren Wesley, Deena, Victoria, Osceola (aka OC), Creighton, Ethan, Kasha, Amber, Dale, Lacee, Payden, Jacob, Brady, Boom, Paige, Chase, Canaan, Allen, Justin, Anthony, Angelica, and Donna (aka DJ). He also leaves behind multiple precious great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Irving and Dema Rose, his sister, Ilene, and brother, Brynum, three wives, LouGene, Mabel and Teresa, daughters Sandra, Leandra, and Elvina, sons Tim and Raymond, and grandson, Brikk.

Visitation will be held at Reed-Culver Funeral Home on June 22, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at First Baptist Church in Hulberton June 23, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

Pallbearers will be Chase Rose, Canaan Rose, Terry Justice, Trenton Justice, Wesley Nez, and Clay Thompson and honorary pallbearer, Justin Isaacs.

He will be laid to rest at Keener Cemetery in Lost City.