Ralph Rose

Ralph Rose passed away on November 26, 2017 in the care of Hospice in the Pines in Lufkin, Texas. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 2, 2017 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, 1515 South Chestnut, Lufkin, TX 75901. Dr. Brian Wiggins of First Presbyterian Church of Lufkin will be officiating. A Masonic Burial Service will follow the funeral at Garden of Memories Memorial Park, 5205 South First Street, Lufkin, Texas. Visitation will be held Friday, December 1, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gipson Funeral Home. Ralph was born in Ellisville, Mississippi on May 31, 1936 and moved to Texas with his parents and 6 brothers. He served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957. He was stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas and Base Noureseer in Casablanca, Morocco. Ralph became a police officer with the Houston Police Department in 1958. He worked for 36 years, advancing to the rank of Sergeant, before retiring in 1994. After retiring, he moved to Lufkin where he worked for the United States Marshal's Service, Court Security Office for 15 years. While working and raising a family, Ralph attended college and received an Associate of Arts in Law Enforcement from San Jacinto College in 1973 and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Abilene Christian College in 1975. Ralph was a 33rd degree Master Mason. He was Worshipful Master of Reagan Lodge #1037, Billy W. Tinsley Daylight Lodge #1458 and Lufkin Lodge #669. He was past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star #258. Ralph received the Golden Trowel Award for Exceptional Service from the Billy W. Tinsley Daylight Lodge #1438 on November 4, 2000. He was actively involved in the Commandery and Scottish Rite. Ralph cherished his role as a grandfather, watching his grandchildren compete in swimming and equestrian competitions, football, soccer and tennis matches. He enjoyed trips to Laredo, the zoos, museums, and art exhibits. He was bilingual and enjoyed traveling to Mexico and Central America for intensive Spanish language training. Ralph loved to read, play the guitar, and watch old western movies. Ralph was a born-again Christian. He accepted Jesus as his lord and savior in 1948 and was baptized at the Pecan Grove Baptist Church, Rural Jones Co. Ms. In the 1960's, he was the song leader at Beaumont Place Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Lufkin for the past 20 years. He enjoyed attending Wednesday night services at Iglesia Bautista La Fe. Ralph is now rejoicing in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ralph is survived by Doris Rose, his loving wife of 59 years; his three children, Donna Middaugh and husband Paul, Rhonda Rose Sundholm and husband Martin, and Dr. Ralph Rose and wife Consuelo; his grandchildren, Caleb, Nikki, and Jacob Rose, Nanette and Paul Nix, Heather Middaugh and Jack Christopher, Paul and Vlada Middaugh, Dana and Matt McDaid; and his great grandchildren, Finnr, Cadence, Seeley, Gerard, Zoe, Jade, Damian, Edwin, Jonathan, Patrick, David, Jeremiah, Catherine, and Christina. He is also survived by his 5 brothers and their wives, David and Vicky Rose, Billy and Sherry Rose, Bobby Rose, Curtis Rose and Darlene Taylor, Roy and Janet Rose, and his nieces and nephews and other family and friends. Ralph is preceded in death by his father, Rubin Rose; his mother, Bytha Bush Rose; his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Marlene Rose; and great-nephew, Thomas Keith Rose Jr. Pallbearers are Darryl Rose, Wayne Rose, Caleb Rose, Jacob Rose, Taylor Rose, and Paul Middaugh III. Honorary Pallbearers are Martin Sundholm and Paul Middaugh Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the First Presbyterian Church, 607 Jane-Way, Lufkin, TX 75901; the Lufkin Masonic Lodge Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 154052, Lufkin, TX 75915; or to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, TX 75904. Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com. Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.