Judge Charles R. Rose
1946-2019
The park is named in honor of the late Judge Charles R. Rose, an admired civic leader who served the Highland Hills neighborhood for decades. The son of Homer Rose Sr. and Dorothy Evelyn Hollingsworth Rose, Charles Rose was born in Dallas on January 17, 1946, and grew up with five brothers, Homer, Horace, Roger, Odell, and Fred, and two sisters, Marie and Joann.
He earned a bachelor's degree in business education and political science from Bishop College and a master's degree in urban and regional affairs from The University of Texas at Arlington. After beginning his career with General Motors, he joined Local Union No. 816 of the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, and as a member of the executive board, he advocated for workers' rights.
His drive to serve prompted him to take a leave of absence to seek public office, and in 1989, he was elected Dallas County justice of the peace for Precinct 8, Place 1, and he also won a seat on the Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District Board. He served four consecutive terms as justice of the peace before returning to General Motors for two years. Following his retirement, he launched a consulting and auditing agency, C. R. Rose and Associates, and served as its executive director. He returned to the political arena in 2012 to support the successful campaign of his daughter Toni Rose to represent District 110 in the Texas House.
Committed to improving the lives of others, Judge Rose was a trusted voice in the community and a resourceful civil rights strategist. He volunteered as an adjunct professor at Paul Quinn College and gave generously of his time and expertise to a host of civic and charitable organizations. In addition to co-founding the Friday Network Group and the Dallas Committee on Urban Affairs, he served as chair of the Southeast Oak Cliff Community Leadership Association and the Moorland Family YMCA Fund-Raising Campaign, as district chair of the Boy Scouts of America-Mustang District, and as a board member of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and the South Dallas Collaborative Effort Governance Committee. He was an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Judge Rose received myriad accolades for his contributions, including the 2018 Trailblazer Award from the Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the 2018 Jubilee Productions Award of Service. In 2013, he was recognized with the Outstanding Texan Award for District 110 from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.
His first marriage brought him three treasured children, Ronnie, Toni, and Nikki, and in 1982, he wed the former Gazelle Pichon and gained two more daughters, Lachon and Nina. Through the years, he was blessed with eight grandchildren, Darius, Quentin, Jasmine, Jeffrey, Jade, Lauren, Alexia, and Trenton, and four great-grandchildren, Cammaron, Channing, Caelyn, and Nia.
Deeply devoted to his family and his community, Charles Rose made a meaningful difference in the lives of his loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and his contributions will be fondly remembered for years to come. It is our privilege to honor Judge Rose’s life and legacy at this park.
