Thursday, October 1, 2026
Loraine McLeod Rose passed away July 24, 2026. She was born Aug. 7, 1937, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Thomas Marion McLeod and Thelka (Krautz) McLeod. She was the third of their five children. She also had a half-brother, Eddie, from Thomas' previous marriage.
In 1946, doctors advised that her younger sister Barbara would benefit from a drier climate due to her severe asthma. The family left Corpus Christi with the intent of moving to New Mexico; however, funds ran short, leading them to settle in El Paso, Texas. Like many families in the difficult post-World War II years, they faced a severe housing shortage, so they lived in a surplus Army tent for a year until they built a small home from wooden shipping pallets. Later, they moved into a stone house which had once served as an Army outpost.
While working at a diner in El Paso, Loraine met and fell in love with Billy Jack Rose, who was serving in the US Air Force. They were married in New Mexico in August of 1953.
As the wife of a career serviceman, Loraine established homes through numerous assignments, including El Paso, Texas; Okinawa, Japan; Wichita Falls, Texas; Puerto Rico; Virginia; Whidbey Island, Washington; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Over the span of 24 years, the couple moved approximately 25 times while raising their two sons, Larry W. Rose and Darrell K. Rose.
Loraine was devoted to her family and met the demands of military life with resilience, providing stability and care no matter where they lived. In the early 2000s, she and Bill retired to Pecan Plantation near Granbury, Texas, where they were active members of Lakeside Baptist Church and Acton Baptist Church.
Loraine was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 72 years; her half-brother, Eddie McLeod; her brother, Willy McLeod; and her sister, Mary McLeod Dunlap
She is survived by her sisters, Francis Livingston and Barbara Trexler; her sons, Larry W. Rose and Darrell K. Rose; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be held at the Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury Friday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. with services following at 11 a.m. Burial will be Monday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m. at the DFW National Cemetery, where she will be reunited with her sweetheart.
Services under the care and consideration of Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury, Texas.
