Spade Jackson Rose

The following obituary is posted as a courtesy to the local family and friends of Mr. Rose. For directions or online floral orders, please visit www.rosefuneraltn.com.

Spade Jackson Rose, age 53, passed away on February 22, 2023 in Knoxville, TN. Spade was born on January 27, 1970 in Nashville, TN. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert Jackson Rose and Donna Spade Rose.
Spade grew up in Knoxville and was confirmed at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. He graduated from Webb School of Knoxville where he was a proud member of the Class of 1988 and a standout receiver on the varsity football team. He attended The University of Tennessee where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1992 with a degree in Political Science.
Spade was a devoted son, father, and brother and loved unconditionally. His most passionate love was for his children, the center of his life, whom he would incessantly and lovingly brag about. He loved going to his children’s sporting events on the weekends and would give a play-by-play account to anyone who would listen…even if they weren’t. He was a loyal friend and loved bringing people together; many life-long friendships were formed between people he introduced to one another. He loved his twin brother Shane dearly and was proud to be called one of the Rose brothers.
If he loved you, he loved you hard. He always stood up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves. “He's a Lover, Not a Fighter; but he's also a fighter, so don't get any ideas.” Spade possessed a depth of kindness and compassion like no other and would do anything for his family, friends, and even strangers in need. When he was 18 years old, he and a friend saved two people from drowning in a riptide down in Florida.
Spade was a storyteller and he had some good ones. It didn’t matter if you’d heard the story before. He’d tell it over and over again like you were hearing it for the first time. His breadth of knowledge spanned the minutia of the mundane to obscure oddities, and he was affectionately known by his colleagues as “the professor”. He was really funny with a great sense of humor and a big laugh and enjoyed being poked fun at just as much as he enjoyed poking fun. He possessed candor and humility. He loved the Tennessee Vols and tailgating in Lot 9 and cherished vacations at Pawley’s Island with family and friends. He made the best stuffed mushrooms appetizer… and might brag about how good they were.
Spade loved music, especially the Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, and haunting Carter Stanley songs. He’s the only dad who sang “Long Black Veil” as a lullaby for his kids. He also felt a deep connection with the outdoors. He loved fly-fishing, especially blue lines in the mountains and on the Clinch River. He had more camping gadgets than anyone you know. If he had a spare minute during the day you might likely find him at one of his favorite spots along Cherokee Boulevard on the Tennessee River.
Spade was a debater who had strong convictions and opinions and would certainly share them. He was a staunch advocate of the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights. Spade loved watches, mementos, and family heirlooms; things that had a history to them that he could sit down and tell you about.
Spade is survived by his former wife Tori Rose and their children, son Cawood Jackson Rose and daughter Anna Greer Rose; his twin brother Shane Lawrence Rose (Amy), brother William Scott Buis, brother Rob Rose (Molly), and sister COL Debra Rose McNamee (Dave); nephew Gryphon Scott Buis; and cousins Ralph King, Lori Porter (Greg), David Wall (Sabrina), Maebeth Hoskins, and Blake Rutherford.
Receiving of friends will be held on Thursday, March 2, from 5-7pm at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel at 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. A funeral service will immediately follow the receiving of friends. A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 3, at 3pm at Highland Memorial Cemetery on Sutherland Avenue. There will be a celebration of life Friday, March 3, from 6-9pm; the location is to be determined.