Brig. General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) John Milton Rose, Jr. passed away from this life to the next at the NC State Veterans Home in Fayetteville on the 7th of November.
He was a son of Fayetteville, having been born here 99 years ago, son of John and Roberta Rose of Hillside Avenue. He served in the US Air Force for over 31 years as a command pilot accruing over 4000 flight hours, retiring in 1975 as a Brigadier General. Subsequently, he devoted himself to his family, his church, his community, and his land.
He was predeceased by Mary Giles Stewart Rose, his wife of over thirty-six years, by Virginia McQueen Rose, his wife of over twenty-seven years, and by his eldest son, John M. Rose, III. He is survived by his daughter, Jane Rose King of Fayetteville, his son, David S. Rose of Asheville, and by his stepsons, Malcolm McFadyen, Bill McFadyen, and John McFadyen, all of Fayetteville. Together he leaves behind twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was the last of his generation – the greatest generation some call it – that rose out of the Great Depression and fought to victory in World War II. Throughout his life, he sought to serve wherever he was placed, and to do so well and faithfully. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 102 Ann Street, on Friday, November 18 at 10:00a.m. with reception to follow at the church. Burial will be at 12:00p.m. at Cross Creek Cemetery #3.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to Cumberland Community Foundation for the Heritage Place Endowment Fund, an endowment established by Gen. Rose in 2001 to help senior citizens in need. Mail checks to CCF, P.O. Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302 or donate online www.cumberlandcf.org. Alternatively, gifts may be sent to Trinity Center for World Missions, a mission which he supported for many years via mail to P.O. Box 580, Dahlonega, GA, 30533 or www.trinitycwm.com.
Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory, Inc.