Malad…Derrell Gean Rose, 83, passed away on November 26, 2020.

Derrell Gean Rose “Rosie” of Tucson, Arizona, and formally from Malad City, Idaho passed away on November 26, 2020, at the age of 83.

Derrell was born May 4, 1937, in Garland, Utah. He was the oldest of four children born to Hellen and Gean Rose. He grew up on farms in Arbon, Pocatello Valley and Malad City, Idaho. He graduated from Malad High School in 1955 and attended the University of Idaho before enlisting in the Navy.

He served proudly in the Navy from 1957 to 1960 as a Corpsman via the Navy/3rd Marines in Okinawa, Japan. He was very proud to have served his country as a medic and felt the years served were life changing experiences. He was an active member of the AMVETS, American Legion and DAV in Tucson, Arizona.

While stationed in Bremerton, Washington he met his wife and raised five children. It is with great sadness he is preceded in death by his three sons, David, Scott, and Ryan.

During his lifetime, Derrell was proud of all the occupations he held and maintained many fond memories of them. He was a licensed embalmer after the military, a carpenter for Skyline Construction, custom combine grain harvest, owned the Corner Bar in Malad, worked the oil fields in Wyoming, and finally worked from 1984 to 1999 for Central Arizona Water Project from which he retired.

He always spoke with great pride about the family business Rambling Rose Coaches. We all have our cherished “Rambling Rose” bumper stickers. He shared many fond memories and adventures about piloting his Taylor Craft BC12D Cessna 150 airplane.

He loved to dance and was a social butterfly. He would strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He was known to visit a casino a time or two.

He is survived by his daughters: Barbara (Rose) Moldenhauer of Pocatello, Idaho and Renee (Rose) Padilla of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is characterized by his phone message, “I’m out and about making new friends. If I haven’t made it to your house yet, please leave a message.” Derrell lived his life his own way and on his own terms. He was one of kind and will be missed dearly.

Private funeral services will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. in the Horsley Funeral Home. A family gathering will be held for one hour prior. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery.