Alton "Roy" Leroy Rose

Alton "Roy" Leroy Rose, 95, passed away at his residence on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Roy was born in Stamford, Texas, to James Charles and Icy Leona Bramscum Rose. He was the fifth child out of six and was the baby for twelve years, until his baby brother came along, Billy Don. Roy had four older brothers and sisters, Rayden, Beaula Rea, Lorene, and Jimmy Charles “Jim”. There was only about fourteen months difference between Dad and Jim.

Roy met Norma in 1949, while she was visiting her aunt in Hamlin. They were married on September 9, 1950, and had one child Sonya, who was born on August 29, 1951, in Rotan, Texas. They moved to Ogden, Utah when Sonya was eighteen days old. Roy went to work at Hill Air Force Base that same year and learned how to be a flight electrician. He worked on every kind of plane that our Air Force has including the big C-130 Globemaster. Over the years, he worked his way up to become a Master Sargent.

The family moved from Utah to Mesa, Arizona after five years and lived in Mesa for over fifteen years. Roy was able to work at both bases, Williams and Luke, which let the family live in one home and one place for several years. While Roy was in Arizona, he learned to do woodwork. He made Norma a beautiful credenza and made Sonya a sweet jewelry box. He always helped the needly children of Mesa by making toys out of wood.

Roy joined the archery club and got good at it, he took All State one year and taught Sonya’s girl scout troop how to shoot the bow and arrows. He was made an honorary girl scout, the only man in Arizona to have that honor.

The family then moved to La Marque, Texas when Sonya was in high school. Roy worked at Ellington Air Force Base, he was one of the few men who had a high security clearance to work at both bases; Williams and Luke, which let the family live in one house and one place for several years.

While Roy was in Arizona he learned to woodwork, he made Norma a beautiful credenza and for Sonya a sweet jewelry box.  He also helped the needy children of Mesa by making toys out of wood, which he got really good at.

Roy also joined the archery club and got so good at it that he took All-State one year and taught Sonya’s girl scout troop how to shoot bow and arrows.  He was made an honorary Girl Scout, which was the only man in Arizona to do so at that time.

Roy was a people person, sometimes on weekends he would take his family to the Pheonix mall just to sit and what people were up to.

Roy and his family moved to La Marque, Texas, when Sonya was in high school.  Roy worked at Ellington Air Force Base and was one of the few men who had a high enough security clearance to work on the astronaut’s planes.  His bosses always thought a lot of Roy, he was very respected by his colleagues.

Norma passed away in 1996, he stayed with Sonya for several years until he was reintroduced to JoAnn in 2002 at a Hamlin homecoming game. They had known each other as kids.  The Rose farm was just south of JoAnn’s family farm at White Chapel area (which doesn’t exist now). JoAnn and Roy both graduated from Hamlin High, but Roy was two years older.

JoAnn passed away April of 2022. She had one child of her own, John Patterson.

Roy got into toy trains after the passing of his baby brother.  He was given Billy Don’s “N” scale locomotive.  Roy went on to build a whole room of trains and towns with mountains, tunnels, and several stations.  Roy loved to show little and big boys his train room.

Roy loved working with his hands, it was a God given gift.  He rebuilt his uncle’s old Model A car and was a member of the Model A Club. He was also a member of the Rotary Club and was very active when he was younger in our church.  Roy led the singing on Sunday even though he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket with the lid nailed shut.

Roy made a very best friend while living in Ballinger, and that was David Cowart.  David called Roy “Dad” or “Old Man” and Roy called David “Son”.

Roy was a wonderful and great Father and friend.  He loved Ballinger and its people. He loved his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him.  Most of all he loved the LORD, and we know he is heaven.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, Texas, with Marty Akins officiating.  The interment will take place on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at McCaulley Cemetery in McCaulley, Texas.