Steven C. Rose

You?ll always have a place in my heart . . . ?because that?s where I keep my valuables.? Anonymous

Steven C. Rose was born in Kingsport, Tennessee on January 18, 1952. Husband, father, son and lawyer, he passed away unexpectedly of a sudden heart attack at his home Tuesday morning, November 13, 2007. He was 55-years old.

Steve was the son of Cecil and Virginia Rose, and he was a life long resident of Kingsport. He graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1970 where he played on the varsity football team under coach Tom Pugh. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he graduated with honors with a degree in Business Administration. He attended the University of Tennessee Law School and graduated in 1977 and while attending was member of the school?s esteemed ?Tennessee Law Review.?

He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1977 and began practicing law as an associate at the law firm of Hunter, Smith & Davis. In 1983 he left Hunter, Smith & Davis and joined Mason Dixon Tank Lines, Inc. as Executive Vice-President. In 1984 he returned to the practice of law with M. Lacy West, deceased, under the firm name West & Rose. He practiced law with Lacy for 22 years and was joined in the firm by Lacy?s wife Julia West and recently by his son Curt Rose. He loved the practice of law and was one of the fortunate few who got to make a living doing what he loved.

He served on numerous Boards of Directors including past President of Mountain Region Speech and Hearing, past President of Friends of Allandale and past President of Kingsport Swim Association. He also served as past President of the Kingsport Jaycees, past President of Rotary of Kingsport and past President of the Kingsport Bar Association. He recently had been appointed to and served proudly on the Tennessee State Judiciary Selection Committee.

Steve?s pride and joy was his family; he lived every day to the fullest and enriched the lives of those he had the pleasure to meet. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

Surviving are his wife, Cathy Rose, of the home; one daughter, Caty Rose, of the home; two sons, Curt Rose and wife, Jenny, Kingsport, Chris Rose and wife, Jill, Grundy, VA; his parents, Cecil and Virginia Rose, Kingsport; a brother-in-law, David Miller and wife, Linda, Kingsport; a sister-in-law, Mary Clair King and husband, Robin, Kingsport; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jim and Pat Miller, Kingsport; one niece, Susanne Miller; six nephews, Matt, Sam, Justin, and Alex King, and Nathan Miller; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and Molly, the bulldog.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the church with Rev. Jack P. Weikel officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be immediate family. Honorary pallbearer will be members of the Kingsport Bar Association.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the following: Steven C. Rose Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o West & Rose, P.O. Box 1404, Kingsport, TN 37662; Friends of Allandale, 4444 W. Stone Drive, Kingsport, TN 37664; or Mountain Region Speech and Hearing, 404 Revere Street, Kingsport, TN 37660