Jerome Robert Rose

Jerome Robert Rose was born in Chicago on December 16, 1932, to Doris and Morris Rose. He died peacefully on July 3, 2023, surrounded by his adoring family. Jerry moved to Houston as a young child and graduated from the University of Texas undergraduate and the University of Texas School of Law. He practiced law for a short time but discovered that he most enjoyed the challenge of investing in real estate. Throughout his life, he owned apartments, warehouses, and various commercial properties. The purchases that made him the happiest were his 3 ranches in Columbus, TX, a town he grew to love. Many holidays and parties were held at the main ranch with its lighted tennis courts and lakes stocked with catfish. It was a central meeting place for his children and their friends when they were at the University of Texas. Jerry was a confirmed bachelor. Then, as he neared his 40th birthday, he met Lanie Wasserman, a new girl in town from Nashville. As part of his proposal, he suggested they try marriage for a year. That one year turned into 51 years of love and devotion and mutual admiration. Jerry never planned to have children either. His twins Myles and Marnie were born in 1974, and Darren arrived in 1978. Jerry became the most devoted of fathers, becoming active at their schools and helping to coach their teams. Jerry was always eager to take on a challenge. Although raised in a minimally religious home, he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah as an adult. No one ever studied harder. His next challenge was purchasing and restoring a ’48 Plymouth. He loved taking the family for rides, waving at the neighbors. Years later, he was 3 years on the waiting list for the Signature Tesla Model X, one of the first to roll off of the assembly line. Jerry was a loyal friend. If one is judged by the friends he keeps, Jerry was held in very high regard. He always was ready to help anyone in need. Life was good. Myles had started his digital marketing career in Austin. Darren was pre-law at UT. Marnie graduated from UTHealth McGovern Medical School and began her pediatric residency at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Then in 2001, Jerry and Lanie’s life as they knew it ended. Marnie, a 1st year pediatric resident was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Every minute of every day was spent trying to save her life. Jerry became a bit of a TV star, appearing in some of the episodes of “Houston Medical,” one of the first reality TV shows. It followed Marnie’s story through all 6 episodes. Marnie died 17 months after diagnosis, leaving Jerry and Lanie horrified by the lack of awareness of brain cancer, by how underfunded the research was, and by the little interest in brain tumors exhibited by pharmaceutical companies. Lanie and Jerry were determined that Marnie’s death would not be in vain. They began the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation and its annual Run for the Rose. The Foundation has donated over $7 million to brain cancer research at MD Anderson, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, and pediatric initiatives at Children’s Memorial Hermann. Its efforts have extended the survival time of many brain cancer patients. Jerry’s favorite responsibility for the rest of his life was sounding the air horn to signal the flyover of LifeFlight which always leads off the Run. While Marnie’s death took the joy from their lives, Lanie and Jerry were delighted when Darren married Jennifer Lewis, and Myles married Deborah Kopel. True joy returned with the birth of their 5 grandchildren: Lexie, Maverick, Madison, Marin, and Kendall. Although Lanie and Jerry lived only 8 minutes away, and all of their friends were downsizing, 9 years ago they moved to Bellaire, 1/2 block from Darren and 2 blocks from Myles, and they had the pool where everyone gathered. Jerry’s later years revolved around his grandchildren. Jerry, who did not like to travel, never missed a Disney cruise, Disneyworld, a pink Jeep tour, or anywhere else the kids wanted to go. Every year he took the whole family on a special trip. Then 5 years ago, Jerry was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Amazing surgery at MD Anderson removed all of the cancer, but Jerry suffered a stroke during his recovery. Jerry exercised hard and was able to continue his cruises and to cheer for his grandkids at Emery Weiner until just a few months ago. He celebrated his 90th birthday in December at a luncheon with 80 of his friends and relatives, sharing a lifetime of happy memories. All of the Roses are so grateful for the devotion shown to Jerry by his favorite cousin, Diana Brackman. His caregivers, Lilian Moreno and Carlos Colon, took wonderful and loving care of him. Special thanks go to Dr. Holly Holmes, the face of geriatric medicine, and Dr. Erin Furr Stimming, his movement disorders neurologist, both at UT Physicians, who were always available to Jerry, laughed at his jokes, and enabled him to maintain a high quality of life. Jerry was preceded in death by his precious daughter Marnie Alexis. He is survived by his wife Lanie, by his sons and daughters-in-law, Myles and Deborah and Darren and Jennifer, and by his adored grandchildren, Lexie, Maverick, Madison, Marin, and Kendall. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut Street, Houston, TX 77096. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation (http://bit.ly/3PIlbY3) so that the next patient’s story will be that of a cure.

Jerome Robert Rose

December 16, 1932 - July 3, 2023