James Merritt Rose, Jr.
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James Merritt Rose, Jr. (Jim) of Lawrence, KS, passed away Monday, December 13, 2021, surrounded by his family. Jim was born on December 28, 1939, in Excelsior Springs, MO to Frances Louise and James Merritt Rose, Sr. Jim grew up in Excelsior Springs and played football and basketball and ran track in high school. He attended two years of college at Central Missouri State University and served five years in the Army reserves. Jim met the love of his life Norma Jean Pedersen Rose, of Hiawatha, KS, and they married on June 15, 1963. After the death of his father, and as a newly married young man, Jim became the head of his family. He and Norma took in, and raised, Jim’s youngest brother. He started his career in the plastics business and raised his three daughters. Jim was a true steward of his community in Excelsior, serving on the local school board, and as a deacon and elder at his local church. In 1980, Jim moved his family from Excelsior Springs to Lawrence, KS where he continued his career in the plastics industry going to work for Packer Plastics. Jim was able to transfer his loyalty from a Missouri Tiger to become a devout Jayhawk fan. He committed himself to the Lawrence community as much as he did in Excelsior, serving wherever he could. Jim loved cars, boats, lawn mowers, and gadgets of all kinds. One of his favorite places was behind the wheel. He loved to drive his boat at the Lake of the Ozarks and he ended his working career as the driver of the courtesy van for Laird Noller Automotive. If you were lucky enough to have been driven by him, you got a little glimpse into the man he was. Those who knew Jim knew him as someone they could always count on. His reason to be on this earth was to care for others; no matter who it was or what it was, Jim supplied it. He was a gregarious soul and could not keep his hands off people often taking many by surprise! He loved his yard and was a meticulous landscaper, often keeping his neighbors up while mowing late into the night! He loved his pets, and over the years, there were many cats and dogs. Jim was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, friend, neighbor and community member. He was not shy about letting us know how much he loved us and provided so well until his stroke in November 2020. Even after his stroke, Jim continued to make others laugh and smile when he attended physical, speech and occupational therapy. We know it was hard for him not to be living with an able body. After being so active all of his life, we are relieved to know he is no longer trapped in a body that could no longer serve him. We are so grateful to have been loved by Jim Rose. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William Milton Rose, and a sister, Betty Blanche Rose Brooks. He is survived by his wife, Norma Jean Rose, Lawrence; three daughters, Tracey Sinclair (Mark) Olathe, KS, Lorrie Belcher (Bruce) Lawrence, Jamie Sinclair (Jason) Lawrence; eight grandchildren, Collin Belcher (Grand Prairie, TX), Margo and Greyson Sinclair (Kansas City, MO), Cameron Sinclair (Overland Park, KS), Hailey Belcher (Austin, TX), Logan, Lauren and Piper Sinclair (Lawrence); brother John Rose (Monica) of Aledo, TX, sister-in-law, Janet Fuetterer (Fritz) of Seattle, WA and brother-in-law, Tom Pedersen of Corvallis, OR and many nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be a celebration of life for Jim at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in memory of Jim to the BridgePointe Community Church, Rehab Services at LMH Health Foundation or to the Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Foundation (makeitcounttoday.org) or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
So very sorry to hear if Jim’s passing. I knew him well and have many nice memories and agree he would rather be in his current place than trapped in an impaired body. I think of him every time I get tools out of the barrel he gave me from Packer Plastics, and every time I drive by the Sunflower water towers. (Talapia farm). I loved having him ferry me around from Laird Noller. Will miss him dearly.
Dearest Rose family
I know Jim from the dental office where I work and he was a patient..
Mr. Rose was an absolute delight and joyful man…who always wore a smile.. I enjoyed talking with him and hearing him laugh!!
My deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the family…
RIP Mr Rose
Stephanie
Love this man and his family! I have a lifetime of memories with Jim and am so grateful. He is a legendary man who made this world a better place, indeed!
Norma, Tracey, Lorrie, and Jamie, praying for you and your families. God didn’t take him from you, only before you! You are so dear to us!
To all of the Rose family members,
I knew and worked with Jim many years ago back in the Mission Plastic days.
I’m sorry to hear of Jim’s passing.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Clif Tant
I am very sorry to hear of his passing. What a fun loving father he was to you three. I remember that about him. May your memories and God’s healing bring you comfort.
Norma and family. It was with sadness that we learned of Jim’s passing. We enjoyed his stories and humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you .
I will never forget your father’s enthusiasm and energy. I still have the small flashlight he gave me to keep me safe when walking in the Arrowhead parking lots at night. What a great man!
We were neighbors to Jim for several years and always enjoyed his many stories. We respected his faith and the way he served his church. He was always so friendly and willing to help in whatever way he could. When we moved away from his neighborhood, he called about two months afterward to check to see how we were doing and we will forever appreciate that. He was a kind soul and never met a stranger. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Norma and his three daughters during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I drove the afternoon shift on the courtesy van. I was wondering the other day how he was doing.
Norma and family, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I was not aware of the challenges he had this past year and know they did not keep this good man down. I always enjoyed his stopping by the hospital to provide his “insights” or hitching a ride with him when my car was at Laird Noller. He was so proud of his family and and always inquired about mine. Thoughts and Prayers are with you all, I know how much he will be missed
Norma and family. I was saddened to read of Jim’s passing and know he will be missed dearly not only by all of you but by so many he knew as friends. I had the pleasure to work with Jim at EMR and remember his wit, humor and willingness to help any way he was able. I also had the pleasure to live next to Lorrie, Bruce, Collin and Hailey who he loved so dearly. Many blessings on all of the Rose family and may you celebrate a life well lived.
Dear Norma and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. What a great friend and neighbor. We will miss him dearly. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Mary and Gary Bennett
Dear Norma and family:
My deepest condolences to all of you, I have wonderful memories of Jim and Norma giving us a tour of Lawrence and taking us to the Jayhawks Stadium, he was a very kind and happy man and his presence will be always in your hearts.
You all have a Guardian Angel now
RIP dear Jim r Norma and family:
Dear Norma and the Rose Family,
I was saddened to hear of Jim’s death. What a loving and sweet man. I remember us all being at a Christmas party (I think it was at the Freisen’s) , and he was so excited about a family picture that had been taken recently, that he left the party, drove to your home, and brought the picture back to the party to share with us all. And, we thoroughly enjoyed it!! I will always remember him in this way…full of energy, and adoring of his family. God be with you during this time.
Sincerely,
Rita ( Lindsey) McGrew
Dear Norma and family…I had no idea Jim was ill. With Covid and my own health problems I have not been able to keep up. Jim and I always would have long conversations…sometimes we’d talk because he pocket dialed me. We always talked about the lake, car deals, house renovations, Packer,
and just about any subject that popped in to our heads. Never a dull moment. There was no such thing as a ten minute conversation. Jim never met a stranger. Wish I was there in Lawrence to attend his services…oh I am sorry I’m not. I really regret not knowing he wasn’t well. May the peace of the Lord be with your family. Jim….I know you’re
you’re at peace. Love to you and your family. PS..Mark may still have my email and number…please have him contact me.
Dear Norma and families…John and I are both sad to learn of Jims’ passing. I personally remember him so well, walking into Holiday Travel and spreading light and good cheer to each of us. He always had a cheery attitude and would inquire about us each one. We had great fun working with all the folks from the company.
We enjoyed our association together at FPC, as well. I remember when one of the girls got married, I think it may have been Jamie. He loved sharing all the plans and how he loved his girls. We have three daughters as well and I was one of three girls, so we had fun conversations. We will miss his laughter and twinkling eyes. Norma, we are holding you in loving arms, along with all your families.
Very sorry to hear about the difficult last year and your loss of Jim. I have many wonderful memories from our days at Packer Plastics. He loved his family and friends and he will be missed dearly I know. Bill and I send our thoughts and prayers your way as you move forward and remember him always.