John David Rose

John David Rose died at his home in Black Mountain, N.C. on Monday, March 12. He is survived by his wife, Penny; daughters, Semele Jessica, Melene Zagorec (Todd), and Lesele Rose; sister, Margaret Knowlton (David); niece, Katherine Mayo (Bill) and step-daughter, Ann Gerschefski. He leaves four grandchildren: Jasone Rose, Ian McCullogh, Leela Rose and Emily Zagorec. He was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Kenneth D. Rose and Elizabeth Holden Rose. He attended Idaho public schools, the Todd School for Boys in Chicago, and the University of Utah. He interrupted his education to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving in the Korean conflict aboard the USCG cutter, Escanaba and the Buoy Tender Magnolia. He completed his education at Idaho State College and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. After several years, he returned to Salt Lake City where his interest in politics led him to state service. He became Press Secretary to Gov. Cal Rampton, and, in 1965, was appointed Director of the Utah Travel Council. John David is also credited with originating Utah’s bid for the Winter Olympic games and later became head of marketing for the development of Snowbird ski resort. In 1973, he moved east to Vermont and then to the Sea Pines Company in Hilton Head Island, SC. In 1976, he accepted a position in Sardinia, Italy working for His Highness, the Aga Khan, in the development of Costa Smeralda Resort. He returned to Hilton Head in 1978, sailing his 32 ft. sloop across the Atlantic. In 1985, he formed the advertising agency Gardo, Doughtie and Rose with former Sea Pines colleague, Tom Gardo and with Tim Doughtie. His interest in theater returned and he became a leading actor with what began as The Hilton Head Playhouse and is now the professional Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. He and Penny retired to Black Mountain in 2005. He wrote an ongoing political column for Hilton Head News and published his book “Rescuing Capitalism from Corporatism: Greed and the American Corporate Culture.” A memorial service will be held on April 11 at 11:00 AM at St. James Episcopal Church, Black Mountain. Memorial gifts may be made to Rusty’s Legacy 139 Lytle Mtn. Road, Marion, NC.

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