Gary "Brit" Rose (Santa)

Gary “Brit” Rose (Santa), age 53, was born to the union of Gary Rae Rose and Barbara Joyce (nee Thompson) Lowery on October 18, 1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Brit resided in San Diego, California and Eldorado, Illinois throughout his childhood. Although he was a St. Louis sports fan, he was proud to support the San Diego Padres and Chargers. He was also proud to be an alumni of Eldorado High School. Throughout the last several years, he made sure to attend the Eldorado Holiday Tournament to cheer on the eagles.

In 1992, Brit married his wife, Mary, and resided in St. Louis. A few years later, they had two beautiful twin daughters, Ashley and Alicia. They were surprised with their third child, Alyce, about nine years later. Brit was proud of the family he had and loved them unconditionally. Brit loved dancing and going to the movies with his wife. He loved watching all of his children succeed in school and become involved in church. He loved watching Alyce play golf for her high school team and was proud of the player she has become.  Brit was proud of his son-in-law, Aaron, for being a godly example to all of us. Brit also loved his brothers, close family, and friends. He was very involved in his children’s education by actively participating in the PTO and Father’s Club at Mehlville High School. Brit was also actively involved in the CPAAA and Girl Scouts. Brit loved politics and was a proud American. Most importantly, Brit lived out his faith, loved Jesus, and was an ordained deacon at Bayless Baptist Church.

Brit was a hard worker and had various jobs. One of his accomplishments was faithfully serving BJC Healthcare for 15 years, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Missouri Baptist Hospital, as a supervisor of housekeeping and a maintenance engineer. Brit also accomplished the job of playing Santa Claus for various organizations, family, and friends. He especially enjoyed this job because he loved helping people and making everyone smile.

Brit fought a hard battle against stage four esophageal cancer, that spread throughout his body. Brit remained strong and courageous throughout this journey. He passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Brit is proceeded in death by his father-in-law, Joe Hall; stepfather, Ben Lowery; mother, Barbara Lowery; sister, Tonya Webb; and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousin, Randy Brown.

Survivors include wife, Mary (Hall) Rose; three daughters, Ashley Rose, Alicia (Aaron) Hinsen, and Alyce Rose; mother-in-law, Gladys Hall; father, Gary (Debra) Rose; three brothers, James (Angela) Rose and Billy (Sherry) Rose; brother-in-law, Steven (Lena) Hall; and five nieces, one nephew, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral service will be held at South County Baptist Church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Senior Pastor John Childers officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul Churchyard Cemetery, St. Louis.

Visitation will be held at South County Baptist Church on Friday, February 21, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association and Baptist Children’s Home of Carmi, Illinois.