Joe Ray Rosenbaum

Joe Ray Rosenbaum passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 91.

Joe was born on November 17, 1934, the son of Ruth Downey Rosenbaum and Fred Basil Rosenbaum, on the Downey farm near McCaulley, Texas. Later his parents and he moved to their own farm near the Fairview community. He attended Hamlin High School, actively participating in student council, including president during his senior year; and FFA, where he held several offices. During his high school years, he met the love of his life, Marylee Roland Rosenbaum, and they dated throughout the rest of high school, graduating in 1953. They continued dating while at North Texas State College, now University of North Texas. Joe and Marylee married on January 22, 1955. Marylee graduated in 1956 and Joe in 1957, both from North Texas. Joe was drafted into the Army and after basic training, he served in Goppengen, Germany, where she joined him a few months later. After completing his 2 years in the Army, he returned to Texas. Joe and Marylee lived briefly in Fort Worth and then moved to Pampa, Texas; they worked and enjoyed the rest of their careers there, over 30 years, and he retired from Ingersoll Rand in 1994. Realizing that they should move closer to family, they made the decision to move to Tyler, Texas, and lived there 20+ years. He was lovingly devoted to Marylee throughout his adult life, tenderly caring for her until her death on December 8, 2024. He continued to love, miss, and grieve for her during his last year of life, passing away almost 1 year to the day after Marylee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of almost 70 years, Marylee Roland Rosenbaum; and his brother-in-law James Kenneth Smith. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Reba Roland Smith; his niece, Angela Dene Smith Billings (Jeff); his nephew, Timothy Roland Smith (Jennifer), all of Tyler; as well as great and great great nieces and nephews.