Charles David Rose

April 3, 1965 - January 23, 2025

Charles David Rose was born on April 3, 1965, in Weatherford, Oklahoma, to Ken and Terry Rose. He passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, in his apartment, in Claremore, Oklahoma at the age of 59 due to complications related to his diabetes.

David attended Washita Heights Elementary from Kindergarten to third grade. His mom taught third grade there, and he was in her class. His dad was the high school basketball coach and principal. When his family moved to Weatherford, David transferred to Weatherford Public Schools his fourth grade year and graduated from WHS in 1983. David entered SWOSU and graduated in 1988 with a BS in ED. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

David was very active in sports of all kinds. He played T ball at the age of 5 and played baseball every year until he graduated from high school. He won the punt, pass and kick first place trophy three years in a row, and then played football in junior high and high school. However, basketball was his passion. His dad got him started early in the Washita Heights gym. David hung out there learning and practicing with his dad every chance he got. When David was a junior in high school his basketball team went to state. David's parents and sister never missed a game.

David took karate from Chris Pollman and loved it as well. He learned SCUBA from his dad and tagged along with the college students on their out dives. He was a certified YMCA SCUBA instructor. He also loved to fish and hunt. David learned to ski when the family accompanied SWOSU students on their annual spring ski trip to Red River. He mastered the blacks with ease.

David was very proud of his Cherokee Indian ancestry and used his artistic talent often to draw or paint Indian items or portraits.

When David turned 15, he worked at Sonic and earned money to purchase a mini bike. He later worked at Sizzlin' Sirloin and was a lifeguard at the Weatherford Public Pool for many summers. When in college he worked at the Ropes Course with his dad and helped with the aquatics program. After graduating from college, David got a job as a physical education teacher at Clinton Public Schools, Nance Elementary. Later he moved to become a third-grade teacher. He loved his kids. David spent a few summers as a counselor at Camp Olympia outside of Houston.

David moved to Tampa, Florida in 1999 and earned a certification in ESE. He passed all five tests, overriding required college classes. He soon was hired to work with kids who had special needs at Hillsboro County Public Schools. He later came back to Weatherford and worked as assistant director of the Butler Skills Development Center. He also worked alongside his dad as a ranch hand during this time. He later was hired as a case manager with Tri County Youth where he helped struggling families find the appropriate help they needed.

David loved his family. When he found out he was going to have a sister or brother, he said, "Well, if it's a girl, I hope she's sporty!" When D'Ann was brought home from the hospital, David drug his sleeping bag in her room and slept on the floor by her crib for a few nights.

David was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Ken Rose, his paternal grandparents, Gene and Pauline Rose, his maternal grandparents, Walter Umbach and Stella Umbach, an aunt, Vida Richter, cousins, and Ron Haney and Blake Overton.

David is survived by his mother, Terry Sandusky and husband Mike, of Kaufman, Texas; his sister and her husband, D'Ann and Preston Doerflinger, of Edmond, Oklahoma, sister, Tiler Rose of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, brother, Wesly Rose of Weatherford, Oklahoma, step-mother, Susan Rose of Weatherford, Oklahoma, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

In honor of David's love for animals, donations may be made to the Custer County Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary, at 290 W Commerce, Clinton, OK 73601 or an animal shelter of your choice.

A funeral to celebrate the life of David Rose will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM in The Chapel of Lockstone Funeral Home with Rev. Allen Carson officiating. Burial will follow in Custer City Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.