Mr. Harold C. Rosser

Rosser, Harold C., Author, Lay leader and World War II Pilot: From the Hazel Valley community in Oneida, TN, to China, and then “across the Hump” into Burma, followed by 78 fighter pilot missions in P-38s, 40s and 47s, the awarding of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, and discharge by age 21, so went the early years of Knoxville author and former businessman, civic and lay religious leader, Harold C. Rosser, who passed away March 20, 2014 at age 89. Rosser married his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 68 years, the former Virginia Dunford, shortly after World War II and settled in Knoxville, where, after training at the University of Tennessee, he joined East Tennessee Natural Gas Company in 1951. He rose from dispatcher to assistant secretary and general manager of subsidiary Gas Equipment Engineers until his retirement in 1986. Highlights include extensive testimony before the Federal Power Commission on gas-flow formulas and pricing in the early 60’s, and numerous speeches in the 60’s and 70’s before local government bodies and civic organizations in towns and communities all across Middle and East Tennessee, extolling the virtues of natural gas and its ability to draw industry. Rosser was instrumental in forming the first Bearden High School booster club in the mid 1960’s, and for years served on the board of directors of the Knoxville Rescue Mission, predecessor to Knox Area Rescue Ministries, where he also conducted weekly worship services. He and his wife, Virginia, also conducted Sunday morning worship services for many years at Cagle Terrace senior citizens apartments. A frequent speaker on his war experiences during his retirement years, Rosser also authored three books: For Lack of a Meddlesome Preacher (describing the dearth of ministers willing to preach the unvarnished Gospel); Takeoff From Hazel Valley (describing his early years growing up in Scott County); and No Hurrahs for Me (an account of his war years—the title stemming from the song Army Air Corps pilots would sing in honor of fallen comrades, the last line being “and hurrah to the next man to die”). Rosser, a long time Sunday school teacher and deacon at Central Baptist Church of Bearden, was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Beulah Rosser, sister Janice Rosser Kidd, and brother, Phillip Wayne Rosser; and brothers-in-law, Corwin Dunford and Bobby Dunford. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; five children—Margaret Rosser Jones (and husband John), Richard H. Rosser (and wife Deborah), William R. Rosser (and wife Linda), Mark A. Rosser (and wife Robin), and Lynn Rosser Yates; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Howard Rosser (and wife Evelyn) and Vernon Rosser (and wife Geraldine); and special in-laws Allen and Jean Marcum, Harold and Dorothy Dunford, Gerald Dunford, Lola Jean Rosser, and Juanita Dunford. The funeral celebration of life service will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Central Baptist Church, Bearden, with Dr. Larry Fields, Reverend Jim Henry, and Reverend Al Royer officiating, followed by the receiving of friends at approximately 4:00 p.m. Family and friends will meet at the Adair Drive entrance to Lynnhurst Cemetery by 10:45 a.m. Monday for an 11:00 a.m. interment service. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Mr. Harold C. Rosser

June 21, 1924 - March 20, 2014