John Robert “Bob” Rose, Sr., 86, of Rockingham County and formerly of Nellysford, Manassas and Covington, died Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the English Meadows assisted living facility in Harrisonburg.

Mr. Rose was born December 17, 1937, in Covington, a son of the late John Melvin and Bertha Griffith Rose. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Annie Mae Dowdy Rose; and a great-granddaughter, Madison Carter.

Bob graduated from Ferrum Junior College in 1958, where he met the love of his life, Annie Mae Dowdy. The two then transferred to Emory & Henry College where Bob graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History & Political Science. He continued his education at the University of Virginia, obtaining his Masters’ Degree in Educational Administration in 1966, and his Doctorate of Education from Virginia Tech in 1976. Bob began his professional career in 1960 as a Social Studies teacher and coach at Covington High School. In 1963, he took a job at Alleghany County High School, becoming it’s first football coach and wrestling coach while teaching Social Studies and P.E. From 1966 – 1969, he held the same position at Edison High School in Fairfax County, until he returned to his alma mater at Ferrum as the Dean of Students and assistant football coach. From there, he served as the Dean of Student Housing at Virginia Tech until returning home to Alleghany County in 1973 to serve as the Associate Superintendent until 1976. He and Annie Mae moved to Manassas in 1976, when Bob became principal of Manassas Park High School for two years before serving a 16-year stint as the Associate Superintendent for Manassas City Schools. Upon retiring from Manassas City Schools, Bob began work with the Virginia School Board Association, serving as the Director of Insurance Services until 2003. He worked as a consultant with Knowledge Learning Corp. until his final retirement in 2011.

In his spare time, Mr. Rose coached little league baseball and football for 11 years, was “Man of the Year” for Prince William County and the City of Manassas for 1988, served as Manassas Rotary Club President in 1992-93, was a frequent Santa Claus whenever one was needed, was a member of Granberry Memorial United Methodist Church in Covington, Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, and Rockfish Presbyterian Church in Nellysford. He, along with his wife, Annie Mae, were avid Ferrum College and  Virginia Tech Hokies supporters and fans .

Survivors include his three sons, John Rose, Jr. and his wife, Karen, of Harrisonburg, Mike Rose and his wife, Amy, of Chesterfield, and Andy Rose and his wife, Laura of Culpeper; six grandchildren, Meredith (Cody) Carter, Sarah (Travis) Moss, Emma Rose, Sydney Rose, Alex Rose, and Christian Rose; and two great-grandchildren, Mason Carter and Bennett Moss.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in the Arritt Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Inger Manchester officiating. The family will receive their friends on Saturday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Arritt Funeral Home.

Interment will be made in Persinger Memorial Cemetery.

Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the VT Hokie Club, PO Box 10307, Blacksburg, VA 24062-0307 or the Ferrum College Panther Club, PO Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088, in memory of John R. Rose, Sr.

Friends wishing to send condolences online may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.