James Merritt Rose, Jr.

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.