Leonard Allen (Rosie) Ross |
| Posted 2009-05-06 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, April 27, 2009 Leonard Allen (Rosie) Ross was born in Wakita, Okla., Feb. 19, 1906, and, sadly, left our lives on April 21, 2009, at 103 years old. Rosie is preceded in passing by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Ross, of over 50 years; by his parents, William and Elizabeth Brisendine Ross; sister Thelma Brotton; and brother Delbert Ross. Survivors are a niece and her spouse, Rose Mary and Ross Pemer of Prescott, who have been active in Rosie's life these last years. Survivors also include nephews Wilbur Brotton of Mesa, Ariz., and Dan Ross of California; nieces Annav Gabriel of Missouri and Doreen Ross of California, and many other great-nieces and -nephews. Rosie journeyed west from Oklahoma to Colorado with his family in his teens and then on to Arizona as a young man. He often said, "When I saw the beauty of these mountains and the pine trees, I knew I found my home," settling in Prescott, Ariz., in the late 1930s, where he lived most of his life. He and Mary spent 17 years at Riviera, Ariz., saying he "loved the river and the fishing," but Rosie continued to "commute" to music engagements in Prescott until moving back "home" to Mayer in 1987 to be with his family and friends. This long journey always centered around music, beginning in Rosie's early teens and developing on with his wonderful trumpet playing and deep love of entertaining. He talked about how good it made him feel to make people happy with his music, from the troops at Supreme Headquarters in Europe nearing the end of WWII, to all of his friends and fans at the Pine Cone Inn Supper Club in Prescott since 1949. Rosie was proud to have played Taps under Ike's window in London nightly in 1945. Ultimately, Rosie's fame led to worldwide exposure in TV commercials and being part of the Barbara Walters special on longevity at the young age of 101! Rosie always talked about how blessed his life was, and he continually tried to give back by volunteering thousands of hours at the VA, American Legion's Honor Guard, the VFW, Elks, NARFE and the Shriners, to name only a few. Rosie's joy was celebrating friends' birthday parties, anniversaries and special occasions with his gift of music and song. He was an artist in music with his Sugar Blues, an entertainer with his humor and his swinging and soulful songs, a One-Man-Band with the Big-Band-Sound, a partner with his fellow musicians and always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He leaves behind a century of wonderful memories, was loved by so many and will be missed beyond words. A memorial services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at the Prescott VA Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Family Care of Prescott in Rosie's memory. A special thank you to Hospice Family Care, the Prescott VA and Sunrise Funeral Home for their care and kindness offered to Rosie and his family in these last few weeks. Services were entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. |
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