Kenneth James Rose

With sadness and deep love, we announce the passing of Kenneth James Rose, who peacefully finished this life surrounded by family in his home on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the age of 73, after a nearly 7-year battle with kidney cancer. He lived a life of faith, service, and devotion to God and to his family.

Little "Kenny" was born on December 20, 1951, in Schenectady, New York, to Lloyd Raymond Rose and Beny Jo (Hodges) Rose. As a toddler, he purportedly survived an episode of sucking on the cat's tail, and was later delighted to welcome a younger brother, Richard (Rick), into their family. Not long after this, they moved to Wisconsin, living in Milwaukee, Brookfield, and Cudahy, before moving back east to Norristown and King of Prussia in Pennsylvania.

Ken was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, serving as Senior Patrol Leader in both Cudahy and Norristown. He particularly enjoyed camping and swimming. He and his brother once assisted in the rescue of a girl who was drowning at their pool. At school, he dabbled in football and track, helped keep score for the baseball team, and played the trumpet, baritone, and trombone in the band and jazz band.

While in Norristown, encouraged by their Grandma Hodges, the family agreed to listen to missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Initially, they were not interested, but they reconsidered after witnessing the love and service of Elders Kerry Law and David Gillen, who sacrificed by coming early on Sunday mornings to help them deliver their newspapers so they could attend church. Ken also learned first-hand the power of prayer as he turned to the Lord for help with his schoolwork and other challenges. All four Roses were baptized on June 17, 1967, launching a new beginning for the family and for Ken personally. This commenced a life focused on deep devotion to the Savior and driven by the desire to share that testimony with others.

Ken decided to attend Brigham Young University, where he joined the Air Force ROTC and started studying Chemistry. In 1971, he began service as a missionary for the Church in the France-Belgium Mission. He quickly learned French and loved being able to teach people about the hope and peace that come through the Savior, Jesus Christ. Shortly after Christmas in 1972, he received the devastating news that his mother had unexpectedly passed away. This immediately required a deepening of his faith and trust in God. Ken continued and finished his mission, returning to BYU in 1973.

It was there that he met Linda Jeanne Larsen, the sister of a fellow missionary he had known in France (Eldon Larsen), and soon they began dating. They were married April 27, 1974, in the Ogden Utah Temple and joyfully welcomed nine children to their family from 1975 to 1988.

After much deliberation, Ken ultimately changed his major and pursued a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) later earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He worked for Union Pacific Railroad while they lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, then moved to Odessa, Texas, where he worked for El Paso Products. Partially due to a large round of layoffs, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a small business consultant, and to be closer to family, they chose to move to Utah. They lived with Linda's parents in Willard while he built his clientele, then moved to Kaysville and Syracuse. Later, he began working for Fidelity Investments, which took the family to Goffstown, New Hampshire in 1996. This was their home for over 20 years before they retired and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Ken's passions and hobbies filled him with joy. He was a scriptorian and an avid reader of everything he could find, particularly science fiction. He read ten pages of scriptures every morning, wrote in his journal weekly, and carried a book with him wherever he went. He loved airplanes, dancing, Star Wars, Star Trek, Hallmark movies, cowboy hats, and Dad Jokes. Children and grandchildren especially recall his playful games of "tickle monster" and "I'm caught." He was an expert gift-giver, faithfully remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and somehow always finding that perfectly personalized gift.

He was also passionate about the performing arts and loved to sing. He was a strong tenor in the choir and especially loved musical theater. For many years, he served on the Board of Directors at Heritage Theater, in Perry, Utah, and participated in multiple shows as an actor or director, even "creating life" as he filled the role of Dr. Frankenstein.

Ken was a die-hard BYU fan, always wearing blue on game days and watching or listening to the games. He loved watching sports and occasionally refereed high school football games in New Hampshire. While living there, he also developed a special loyalty to the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.

In addition to his own hobbies, Ken supported his wife and family in their goals, talents, and personal growth. He encouraged Linda to nurture her violin skills and join orchestras. He brought his children to choir practices and performed with them in plays. He served as an adult Scout leader on both Troop and District levels, supporting all five of his sons as they earned the Eagle Scout Rank. He attended concerts, games, baby blessings, baptisms, priesthood ordinations, graduations, and weddings. He loved writing weekly letters to their sons on missions and continually prayed for children and grandchildren by name, especially those serving missions or facing trials of any kind. He truly loved his family and was extremely proud to participate in their lives as much as possible.

Above all other interests and pursuits, he first saw himself as a witness of Christ. Through every joyful moment and every trial, he looked to the Lord as a source of hope and faith. He delighted in any opportunity to support missionary efforts, serve in church callings, administer priesthood blessings, work in the temple, fulfill home teaching and ministering assignments, or testify of the Savior's love. He served in many capacities, from ward mission leader to stake high councilor, and he cherished the responsibility he had for many years to prayerfully select hymns for church services. He loved the hymns and their power to enhance the spirit of any gathering. In addition to his other church callings and assignments, he also volunteered as a French-language tour guide at Temple Square, served as a temple worker and assistant temple recorder, and shared his testimony whenever he could in other capacities.

Ken's life was marked by unwavering faith, deep love for his family, and a spirit of service that touched countless lives. His legacy of faith will live on in the devotion of his wife, children, grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know him. We will always treasure his life of testimony and the twinkle in his eyes during times of joy.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his precious daughter, Tamara Kaye Rose, who died in an accident at the young age of 16 months. We are certain he is thrilled to see them again.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Jeanne (Larsen) Rose, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as eight children: Carolyn (Darrell) Hurt of Montgomery Village, Maryland; Brian (Charity) Rose, of Hendersonville, Tennessee; Alan (Kate) Rose, of Franklin, New Hampshire; Julianna (Jared) Zaragoza, of Herriman, Utah; Lisa (Mario) Aragon, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Warren (Maria) Rose, of Walsall, England; Kevin (Samantha) Rose, of La Plata, New Mexico; and Kyle (Jessica) Rose, of Stoke-on-Trent, England. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Bets) Rose, of Saratoga Springs, Utah, and 41 grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the many doctors, nurses, and others who have cared for him and helped create the miracles that allowed us to be with him for as long as possible. Thank you to everyone who has loved and supported him from near and far. Your faith and prayers have helped sustain his spirits through the last few years.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., with a viewing beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the Stetson Hills Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5485 Hopalong Trail, in Colorado Springs. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery following the ceremony.