Dr. Mack Lee Rose

Mack Lee Rose passed from this earth on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 in Norman, OK.

Dr. Rose was born in Bristow, Oklahoma on June 29, 1936 to Troy Lee and LeeDelle Shives Rose. Mack spent his early life in Bristow where he wrestled, played the trumpet and loved spending time with friends on their farm. His family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1949. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in Dallas in 1954. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1958.

While attending the University of Oklahoma Mack became a member of the Delta Tau Delta social fraternity. In September of 1958, Mack was accepted into Baylor University Dental School in Dallas, Texas; one step closer to fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming an orthodontist. After graduating in 1962, he joined the United States Air Force and served as a Captain in the dental corp at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. After two years in the Air Force, Dr. Rose was accepted into St. Louis University School of Orthodontics in St. Louis, MO. Upon graduation in 1966, he started his practice in orthodontics in Norman. He had a very successful practice and was greatly admired by his patients and colleagues, impacting many lives in the Norman community. Mack retired in 2004 after selling his practice to Dr. Robi Craig.

He met the love of his life, Sandra Chiles, during his junior year at the University of Oklahoma. They were married in 1958 and began their life together as Mack entered dental school in Dallas. Their first child, Jeffrey Lee, was born in 1963 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and their second child, Darren Vernon, was born at Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City in 1970. Mack was an active and enthusiastic participant in raising his children. He was a Little League baseball coach as well as an assistant scoutmaster and Patrol Dad for both Jeff and Darren, Troops 789 and 239. He led both of his sons on their 50-mile backpacking treks in the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado. Both of the boys became Eagle Scouts. His comrades and mentors in scouting were Joe Coker and Dr. Stan McCoury.

Mack was a man of many interests. He loved the art of orthodontics and his patients. The only thing he loved more, with the exception of his family, was the outdoors. Mack was active in the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club as an outings leader. He hiked many trails and led many campouts in the Quachita and Wichita mountains of Oklahoma in the 1990s and early 2000. He also spent many hours identifying and watching birds and gave up hunting for "bird watching." Mack and Sandra also loved snow skiing and introduced their two sons to the sport in the early 80s.

Following his retirement, Mack and Sandra spent time in southeastern Oklahoma, their farm in El Reno, and New Mexico and Colorado, where their two sons lived. They hiked the Rocky Mountains and loved to spend time in the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver.

Mack enjoyed politics and, with his wife, Sandra, spent many hours working for local, state and national candidates. Mack and Sandra were active in their community providing support for many organizations. Mack was an avid reader, liked fishing, gardening and loved dogs. His first dog, Sam, was an Irish Setter. Mack spent many hours in the field hunting with Sam. More recently, the family Dachshund, Dodge, gave Mack much peace and joy in the final years of his life.

At the center of Mack’s life was his family. He was a devoted and incredible husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his son, Jeff and wife, Betty Jane Tullius, of Denver, Colorado; his son, Darren and wife Holly of Norman. His two cherished grandchildren, Madilynn and Fletcher; his sister-in-law, Pamela Chiles of Oklahoma City; his niece Lisa (Steve) Hare, and grandnephew Foster (Clara) of Norman; niece Jessica (Matthew) Upchurch and two grandnephews, Clay and Benjamin of Ft. Worth, Texas; his niece Lori Rose (Pat) Malone, grandnephew Casey Malone and grandniece Heather Shelton; and nephew Thomas (Suzanne) Rose of Kentucky; grandnieces, Emily and Bethany and grandnephew, Jeremiah and their families. Also dear to his heart were his long-time friends of Dallas and Hillcrest High school and many of his dental colleagues.

His was a life well lived and loved.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in the honor of Mack to the Wildcare Foundation, 7601 84th St., Noble, OK 73068; or Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, PO Box 1266, Norman, OK 73070.