Paul James Rose

Paul James Rose was born October 6, 1936 in Tamaha, Oklahoma to his parents, Boyd and Lorene Rose. With great sadness, we announce that our family patriarch, Paul James Rose passed away peacefully on June 5, 2023 in Los Banos, California.

Paul attended grammar school at Garland Elementary school in Tamaha until the third grade when the family moved to Stigler, Oklahoma until the age of 13. From there they moved to Chowchilla, California, where Paul graduated from Chowchilla Union High School in 1955.

After high school, Paul joined the United States Army, where he served in Fort Knox Kentucky as a tank commander, as a test board for development of Tanks. After his Honorable discharge, Paul moved back to Chowchilla, where he married the love of his life, Shirley Thompson in 1963. Paul went to work for Chevron Oil, where he quickly moved through the ranks and soon had the opportunity to purchase his first gas station in Los Banos. With his best friend and wife Shirley by his side, they bought the first gas station, of what was and still is, one of the busiest locations in California. He and Shirley went on to own and operate two gas stations, a towing service, several rental homes, and farmed over 500 acres of land.

After a very successful career Paul and Shirley retired in 2010, where they soon traveled the world and became involved with Shriners, working tirelessly to raise money for the Shriners Hospital.

Paul was the oldest of 6 siblings and became the patriarch of the family. He took his role very serious always helping the family.

Paul lost his best friend, partner in crime, and the love of his life, in 2017. Without Shirley, he continued on the best way he could, but not a day went by that he didn’t think of her and miss her.

In the last few years, Paul focused on family duties and his own health. He was known to be cranky at times, but yet recently he could be seen laughing and joking with his sister Marylyn enjoying and talking about old times.

Services for Paul will be held on Saturday, June 17, at 10:00 am at the Chowchilla Cemetery District, 23359 Road 14 ½, Chowchilla.

Please join us in remembering Paul James Rose by visiting our memorial at www.wordenchapel.com. Through this site, we invite you to view cherished photos and videos, add a memory, and share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Palm Memorial Worden Chapel, Lori Whatley, Funeral Arranger