Gary Rae Rose

Gary Rae Rose, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on January 15, 2025, at the age of 81. He was born in Harrisburg, Illinois on May 5, 1943 to Mary and John Moore.

Gary Rose was blessed to have experienced and accomplished many things throughout his life. Gary entered the U.S. Navy in 1960 at the age of 17 years old. Shortly after entering the U.S. Navy, Gary went to fight in the Vietnam war where he was a prisoner of war for three days. Gary says of this experience, “I was only a prisoner of war for three days, so I don’t classify me as being a prisoner of war.” During Gary’s time in the U.S. Navy, he travelled to the Philippines, Rhode Island, Hawaii for seven years where he did cosmetology for women and then went to San Diego and with his time there, he had become a Sheriff for the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. Gary retired from the U.S. Navy in 1980. During his time in the U.S. Navy, Gary earned many medals and awards. His final ranking with the U.S. Navy was Chief Petty Officer. He was also a cook on the ships he served on.

Gary then moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma where he worked for Tinker Air Force Base working on planes for the next 19 years before he retired. Gary has been a Mason for well over 50 years and with the Shriners and Eastern Star.

Gary got married to Mrs. Deborah Mahannah on June 24, 2006 where Mrs. became Miss Deborah Rose. They were married for 18 years. Gary raised five grandchildren and became legal guardian over four of the grandchildren. Over the years, he played Santa Claus to bring happiness and cheer not only to his family but many others. No matter the situation, Gary always found a way to provide for his family.

On April 13, 2021, Gary landed his last job at 78 years old working for Hobby Lobby Distribution Center with his daughter in the warehouse. He took pride in his organizational skills, not to mention made some young ones look bad. Gary worked for Hobby Lobby for the next one and one-half years until he was badly injured and that took him out of work permanently. Not long after that, February 2024, Gary was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. He went through chemo and radiation twice. He fought the good fight until his physical form got weak and tired, but never his spirit. Gary was a fighter, strong, compassionate, and the most humble man I know. Gary Rose was extraordinary!!

Gary leaves behind to cherish his memories his wife, Deborah Rose; two daughters, Leanne Mahannah, Priscilla Mahannah; sons and partners/wives, Ricky and dillion Woodard, Jason and Stephanie Woodard, Erik Woodard, James and Angie Rose, Billy and Sherry Rose, Mary Rose; brother, Earnest Moore; grandchildren, Destiny Perez, Coby Leflore, Ralpy Segura, Jr., Angel Mahannah, Nathanul Hernandez, Milo Cornett, Alexus Chacon, Esperanza Aragon, Priscilla Aragon, Ellie-Grace Woodard, Reese Woodard,

Sidney Woodard, Gavin Woodard, Ava Woodard, Ashly Rose, Jacob Mims, Alicia Rose, Aaron Hinsen, Alyce Rose, Ben Rose, Jo Rose, Canada Rose, Montana Rose, Arizona Rose; great-grandchildren Coby Leflore, Jr., Estella Ruelos-Chacon, Regan Hinsen, Thea Rose; and sons-in-law, Robert Cornett, Rafiel Segura, Adolfo Flores, Johnny Hernandez.

A service celebrating Gary's life will be at 3:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Country Estates Baptist Church, 1000 S. Midwest Blvd., Midwest City, OK. He will be laid to rest at Sunny Lane Cemetery in Del City, OK.

Family and friends may share memories online at www.hibbsfuneralchoctaw.com. Services are under the care of Hibbs Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, 2190 N. Harper Road, Choctaw, OK 73020, 405-390-2626.