Leondus "Leon" Rose, 97, passed away Sunday, February 28, 2021 at The Crossing At Riverside Health and Rehabilitation in Searcy, Arkansas.

Leondus was born July 28, 1923 in Randolph County, AR, to Edd and Ruth Rose. He attended Pocahontas High School through his junior year. Rather than graduating from Pocahontas High School, he took employment to financially assist his family. He worked as a truck driver with his father for several years and prior to enlisting in the Army, he was employed by the United States Engineer Services as a bulldozer operator.

He served in the Army from March 8, 1943 to February 22, 1946 as a Tech 5 Sergeant overseas in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. He received the World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and the Asian Pacific Theater Ribbon.

Acquiring over 3 million miles and 28 years with Superior Forwarding as a Truck Driver, he retired in 1981. Upon his retirement, Superior Forwarding acknowledged him as a "Gentleman of the Highway" and stated "Leondus Rose is one of those rare individuals who always practiced the Golden Rule." During his tenure with Superior Forwarding and after his retirement, he owned/operated several trucks and drove for his brother, Larry Don Rose, with Pocahontas Aluminum. After retirement, he enjoyed membership in the Good Sam camping organization.

Leondus served as a deacon at the Lemay Ferry Road Church of Christ while living in St. Louis, MO. He also was a member at several other congregations while living in various locations - Pyburn St. Church of Christ, Pocahontas, AR, Southwest Church of Christ, Jonesboro, AR, North Main Church of Christ, Malvern, AR, and Harding Place Church of Christ, Searcy, AR.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Pearlie Rose, son, Ronald Leondus Rose, and sister, Eddith Lindsey.

He is survived by his daughters, Sara (Rodney) Steger of Huntsville, AL and Rhonda (Paul) Foster of Searcy, AR.; grandchildren, Shannon (Denny) Thompson of Kelso, MO, Todd Rose of Jackson, MO, Haley (Leland) Sheldon and Holly (Joshua) Davis of Huntsville, AL, Mack (Elizabeth) Foster of Conway, AR, and Ron Foster of Conway, AR, and several great-grandchildren; brothers, Ray (Wanda) Rose of Hutchison, KS, Charles Rose of Sikeston, MO, Vernon (Carol) Rose of Sherwood, AR, and Larry Don (Frances) Rose of Pocahontas, AR; sisters, Marzell Carmickle of Pocahontas, AR and Bea Rowden of Enterprise, AL, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, March 8, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of McNabb Funeral Home with a funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. with Rodney Steger officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Rodney Steger, Paul Foster, Todd Rose, Mack Foster, Ron Foster, Denny Thompson, Leland Sheldon, and Joshua Davis.

The family would like to thank Harding Place Christian Retirement Center, Home Instead, and the VA for the wonderful care and attention provided to Leondus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Harding University General Scholarship Fund at 915 E. Market Street, Searcy, AR 72143. Leondus was a strong proponent of Christian education and provided his three children an education at Harding University: Ron Rose (1970-1971), Sara Rose Steger (1976-1978), and Rhonda Rose Foster (Class of 1984). In addition several of his grandchildren graduated from Harding University: Haley Steger Sheldon (Class of 2010), Holly Steger Davis (Class of 2010), Mack Foster (Class of 2016) and Ron Foster (Class of 2017).