Lyle Dean Rosser passed away peacefully on December
16, 2023 at his home with close family members by his
side. He was born on July 28, 1942 in Altus, Oklahoma to
LD and Ida (Weems) Rosser. Lyle was a sweet, kind and
gentle man.
With his family he moved around attending elementary, middle school and high school at schools in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. He played football while in high school for the Ira Bulldogs.
At the age of 15 his parents, driven by the economic security of the timber industry, moved to Eureka. The family settled in a house on K Street very near Eureka Senior HIgh School where Lyle graduated in 1960. Lyle worked and attended College of the Redwoods where he earned a two-year associate degree.
Lyle began working during high school. He worked for his Uncle Otto at Otto Watts Shell Station on Harris Street in Eureka. From there Lyle worked at Hilfiker Pipe Company and LP Flakeboard.
Lyle’s employment with LP Flakeboard was interrupted when he was drafted into the armed forces. He was inducted into the Marine Corps, November 3, 1965. Lyle attended boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA where he took classes in all the wheeled vehicles used by the Marine Corps. Lyle loved the mighty-might, which was a small jeep-like vehicle especially designed for the Marine Corp. After much training he got his orders for Westpac and Vietnam. They were transported to El Toro Marine Air Station and boarded the military version of the Boeing 707 and took off for Wake Island. They landed on Wake Island, ate and then left for Naha on the Island of Okinawa, Japan. Lyle then got his orders for his duty in Vietnam. He was assigned to the support company of the third combat engineer Battalion in Da Nang, Vietnam as a driver for Major Vires. He got to drive the mighty-might all over Vietnam. He met a life-long friend, Dale Graham, who shared his tent with him and was also from Oklahoma. There is a saying among Marines “Once a Marine, always a Marine”. Lyle was proud to say he was a Marine. Upon returning from Vietnam he returned to his job at LP Flakeboard and then transferred to Louisiana Pacific Pulp Mill, where he worked for over 20 years until he retired in January of 2002.
On September 30, 1968 he married his first wife Virginia Triplett. Together they had three children Charlene, Nathan and Eric. Lyle was a single Dad for many years and he was active in coaching his sons’ football and baseball teams. He was a member of the Cutten PTA for many years.
On July 28, 1996 he married his wife, Janet Ballantine, and gained a daughter, Melissa. Lyle and Janet enjoyed many years of traveling the United States, Canada and Alaska. Some of their favorite trips were to New York City, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, an Alaskan Cruise, Durango-Silverton Railroad and the Million Dollar Highway. They visited many National Parks. Gettysburg National Park had a special meaning for Lyle. He was able to stand on the ground where his great-grandfather had fought on Little Round Top. Exploring old ghost towns and mining towns was another favorite adventure for him.
Lyle was a member of the Humboldt Harmonaires for many years. He always enjoyed singing. He was also a 4- H leader for the Cutten Woodworking Project Group.
Being one of nine children, Lyle was very proud of his large family . He was the proud father of Charlene, Nathan, Eric and Melissa. He was Papa to Arielle Chivrell, Colton and Macie Rosser, Fiona and Kieran Conner, and Beau Ranney. He was great-grandfather to Kaden and Deliylah Chivrell. He loved reading books and singing to the little ones. He was known as “the baby whisperer.” Lyle enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play sports. Many trips were made to Redding to watch Colton play baseball and Macie play soccer. He also enjoyed music concerts that Macie sang in.
He is survived by his wife, Janet and children, Nathan, Eric and Melissa and grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Shirley (Bob) Hume, Duane (Debbie) Rosser, Dennis (Sandra) Rosser, Beverly Thomas, Lee (Vicky) Rosser, Sherry Hornbrook and sister-in-law, JoAnn Rosser, as well as Janet’s siblings Marilyn and Howard Stitt, and Suzanne and Al Gracewski.
He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins that he loved very much. He was especially close to his cousin Lavada Glavich.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ida and LD Rosser, sister Rowena Williams, brother Adrian (Buzz) Rosser, his daughter Charlene, and Virginia (Ginger) Rosser (mother to Charlene, Nathan and Eric) . He is also preceded in death by his niece, Julie McGlothin and nephews Michael Williams and Isaac Rosser.
The family would like to thank the Veterans Home Base Care Team & Hospice for all their support of Lyle the last few months. We would also like to thank his caregivers, James, Michael and Jim.
Viewing will be Friday, January 12, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home, 1835 E Street, Eureka. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on January 13, 2024 at Sanders Funeral Home, A reception brunch will follow at 11:00 am at Veterans Memorial Building, 1018 H Street, Eureka. Graveside Military Service will be at Oceanview Cemetery, 3975 Broadway, Eureka at 2:00 p.m. Donations can be made in Lyle’s memory to Dale Graham Veteran’s Foundation, 1233 W. Lindsey Street. Norman, OK 73069.
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