Rosalie Zugg

Our mother went home to be with Jesus on November 7, 2025. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. Thank you to all who provided care; Dr. Kubacak, Hospice of Midland, and especially Tina Hurlburt who was with her daily in her last months. We give special thanks to Jim and Michelle for making space in their home and providing care in her last days. It has been a blessing to know she was surrounded by love these last few years.

Rose Zugg was born on June 24, 1939, in Dalhart, Texas, to Elias and Albertha Zielke. After graduating from Texline High School, she married Tommy Jack Gross on May 24, 1957, and they were together until his passing. She later married James Roy Zugg, Sr. On November 22, 1963. She is the proud mother of three children: Deborah, James Jr., and Cavin, along with eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Rose and James built their life together in Odessa, Texas, where she continued to call home even after his passing on March 17, 1998.

Mom lived all 86 years of her life to the fullest. She graduated as valedictorian and was active in many school activities. After marrying James, they built their dream home and founded Southwest Service Company. When the kids were young, their home was filled with a variety of animals including beef and milk cows, chickens, guineas, and even a beehive. Her favorite of all the animals was her donkey, Bruce.

Mom kept a garden most years and loved fresh fruits and vegetables. She was a true entrepreneur and loved a good deal, whether at the grocery store, buying property, or bartering at garage sales. She would take advantage of triple-coupon days and could fill a basket of groceries for only five dollars, to the amazement of everyone around her. Over the years, she slowly bought many lots on 81st Street, always asking, “How much would they want for that?” She loved to make a deal.

Mom was a breast cancer survivor, remaining cancer-free for 27 years. She was active with the Cancer Society and participated in many local events. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she completed numerous Kay Arthur Bible Studies, helped with children’s ministries, and volunteered every summer in Vacation Bible School. Mom had a very active social life from volunteering at the Ector County Library, joining Busy Hands and exercising or painting at the Senior Center. If she wasn’t out and about she was probably at home reading or crocheting.

One of the many highlights of Mom’s life was her love of travel. In their younger years, she and Dad took their camper to Las Vegas, California to see the Redwoods, Louisiana, and their land in Big Bend. She took countless trips to Six Flags with her kids and grandkids. Deborah and Mom traveled overseas to London, which was her first trip abroad. She also journeyed to the Holy Land with Cavin, where her favorite experience was visiting the Wailing Wall and rafting down the Jordan River.

She rode in a hot air balloon in Albuquerque, fished for salmon in Alaska, and took a scenic train ride through Colorado with her grandchildren Amber and James, and her son Cavin. Mom traveled yearly with her dear friend Mary to Las Vegas and took cross- country road trips with her sister Joan. She and Cavin drove to North Dakota to visit her grandkids Tyler, Amber, and Blake, stopping at Mount Rushmore along the way. She loved traveling with Nicky and Deborah all over Texas to watch Natalie play volleyball, and she regularly went to Dallas to see her great grandkids play basketball.

Mom and her grandson, Nicholas, attended at least 15 concerts together. Her last trip was to San Antonio for a Woodmen of the World event with her sons Jim and Cavin and grandson James. She never said no to an adventure.

There are only so many memories we can fit on this page, but each of us will cherish the time we had with her and the countless memories we made together.

Rose is survived by her children, Deborah Cook and husband Nicky, James Zugg Jr., and wife Michelle, and Cavin Zugg and wife Dianne.

Her grandchildren are Nicole (Tim), Nicholas, Natalie (Austin), James, Jeremy (Kara), Blake, Tyler (Emily), and Amber (Bryce).

Her great-grandchildren are Trinity, Jonathan, Josiah, Eleanore Rose, Bristol, Brecklyn, Briley, Cason, Easton, Waylon, Walker, and Wyatt.

She is also survived by her siblings, Joan Lackey, Irene Miller, Donald Zielke, and Timmy Zielke, along with numerous nieces and nephews.