Frank Marion Rose Jr.

1945 - 2021

Frank Marion Rose Jr.

January 9, 1945 - January 7, 2021

Frank Marion Rose Jr., loving husband, amazing father and grandfather, talented carpenter, and wonderful friend to many, went home to Jesus Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at the age of 75.

Frank leaves behind his wife, Candy Clarke; son, Frank M. Rose III; daughters, Samantha Rose and Katherine Rose Zerkel; son-in-law, Kirk Zerkel; and three grandsons, Kirk Zachary II, Jackson Colt and Dalton Frank Zerkel; as well as many brother and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by both his parents, Frank M. Rose Sr. and Helen Preston Rose Stewart.

Frank was born Jan. 9, 1945, in Lexington, Ky.

He lived life to the fullest and never backed down from a challenge. He served in the Army National Guard, worked as a chemical engineer for IBM for 30 years where he received several patents and disclosures. He also worked for the University of Alaska Fairbanks for 10-plus years as the supervisor for the Asbestos Department of Facilities Management and held other various positions where he harnessed his innate talent for design and carpentry. Frank built three beautiful homes from the ground up and remodeled countless more. Anyone who knows Frank well will tell you, he was the hardest worker they've known.

Frank's sense of community ran deep. He was a Mason with the Lexington Kentucky Lodge 1, a member of Oleika Temple out of the Lexington Chapter, a North Pole Grange member and even served as the king of North Pole, Alaska. While living in North Pole, Alaska, he ran the North Pole Haunted House every year and donated the proceeds to the North Pole High School Choir for their annual New York City trip. He was truly a selfless man, always looking for ways to help and give to others.

Frank was one of the kindest men you could ever meet and had the best sense of humor. He always had a smile on his face and loved making others smile. He leaves a trail of friends stretching across the country from Alaska to Florida. In 1995, the Rose family ventured from North Carolina to Alaska and decided to make the "last frontier" their home. In Alaska, Frank fell in love with fishing, snowmachining (or snowmobiling as the lower 48 refer to), and his favorite time of year, duck/moose hunting season. Some of his fondest memories involve his "Duck Camp Buddies" and one of their famous spots is where Frank's ashes will be spread per his wishes.

Frank's greatest love was for his family. He loved unconditionally and worked tirelessly to provide for them and support their dreams and endeavors. These dreams often took him on some great adventures and he saw much of the world, but the place Frank liked being the most was with his family, especially his grandsons.

A celebration of life will be held for Frank at the end of this spring in Fairbanks, Alaska. Details will be shared at a later date. In the meantime, the friends and family of Frank will cling to their wonderful memories of a man who never met a stranger and always saw the best in everyone.

Whitley's Funeral Home

www.whitleysfuneralhome.com