Paul Martin Rose, 89, of Nicholasville, formerly of Lexington, passed away peacefully January 31, 2024, surrounded by Norma Annette Rose, his loving wife of 65 years, and his adoring children and grandchildren.

Paul was born on May 3, 1934, in Benton, Kentucky, the youngest of eleven children of Asa Curtis Rose and Della Murphy Rose. Their family moved frequently after Paul’s birth, living in Winchester and other locales, including Ohio, before settling in Lexington.

Paul attended Lafayette High School where his athleticism shone as a star football halfback, earning the moniker “Ramblin’ Rose.” His many accolades including being named MVP of the 1953 Recreation Bowl in which he scored six touchdowns, believed to still be a school record.

While at Lafayette Paul met the love of his life and future wife, Norma “Annette” Tucker. They married in 1958 in Lexington.

Paul was recruited by Bear Bryant and awarded a football scholarship to attend UK where he was a member of the team until his time at UK was interrupted by being drafted into the Army in 1955. Paul was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was an artillery specialist. While at Fort Sill, his football prowess continued as a member of the Fort Sill army team. He later served in the US Army Reserves until being honorably discharged in 1962.

After returning from active duty, Paul resumed his studies at UK and graduated with a degree in business administration.

While completing his degree at UK, Paul worked 12 hour days as a proofreader for the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper, and after graduation took a full time position in the advertising department, where he later was the writer of the weekly Business Review page.

Paul then transitioned to a successful 50 year career in real estate. He first began as an agent with his sister Ruth Miller’s brokerage, Gallery of Homes, and later with Charlie Murphy Realtors, and in 1973 he was recognized by the Lexington Board of Realtors as the most outstanding Lexington agent.

Paul later formed his own brokerage, Paul Rose Real Estate, and expanded his real estate ventures as a syndicator of several investment properties in the 1980s.

While pursuing his real estate career, Paul simultaneously contributed to the development of Lexington and Fayette County by serving on the very first Lexington Fayette Urban County Council, winning election as 11th district councilman in 1974. Paul then served three additional consecutive terms, never losing an election.

An avid lifelong amateur golfer, albeit at a professional skill level, having grown up competing locally against future Masters champion, Gay Brewer, Paul won several regional golf tournaments and relieved many of his fellow Spring Valley and Big Elm country club members of their cash on a regular basis.

He then made his lifelong dream of building a golf course a reality, when in 1990 he and a group of family and friends bought a farm in Jessamine County and successfully conceived, designed and built High Point Golf Course and residential subdivision.

Even with his athletic, business and political success, Paul was most proud of the family that he and Annette raised and nurtured over their long marriage. His greatest joy was spending countless hours with his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, always supporting and encouraging them in all of their endeavors, and consoling them when they were discouraged. They had no greater fan than him. From coaching his sons in little league football to passing to all of his progeny his skill at golf, and always with his faith in the Lord evident, Paul’s focus was on helping all of them succeed not just in sports but in life. All of them are blessed beyond measure to have had him as their father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Paul is survived by his wife, Annette, sons Dan M. Rose, Kurt G. Rose, Paul Wade Rose, his wife, Dana Davis Rose, daughter Paulann Rose Moore, her husband, Jeff Moore, beloved former daughter in law, Sylvia (Jode) Rose, 13 grandchildren - Dallas (Courtney) Rose, Sagan Rose (Bretton) Saxon, Connor (Justinne) Rose, Killian Rose, Katie (Ryan) Wilkins, John (Alexa) Rose, Jake Rose, Ashlee (Alex) Hunt, Travis (Christian “Bitty”) Rose, Grace (Austin) Messner, Tucker (Ashley) Willis, Blaine (Andrea) Willis, Brieanna (Mike) Pettry – and 18 great grandchildren - Bronson, Dahlia, Mila and Wolfgang Rose; Weston, Hadley, and McLean Wilkins; Nora and Vivian Hunt; Elsie and Ezra Rose; Rose, Harrison and Elliot Messner; Currie and J. T. Willis; and Maxwell and Noah Pettry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, all ten of his siblings, and his cherished daughter in law, Kelley West Rose, Kurt’s wife.

Paul was baptized into Christ as a young adult at Southland Christian Church, was a lifelong Christian and member of Southland Christian, Hill-N-Dale Christian Church, and Redeemer Community Church (formerly Hill-N-Dale), and also served as an elder and deacon at Hill-n-Dale.

Paul leaves an everlasting legacy of love and faithfulness for his family.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at Redeemer Community Church, 371 Hill-N-Dale Rd., Lexington, KY 40503. Burial will follow in Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, and 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, both at Redeemer Community Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to Bluegrass Care Navigators, 1733 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, KY 40504.