CWO5 Alfred "Owl" Rome's Obituary
CWO5 Alfred “Owl” Milton Rome Jr., 82, of Memphis, TN, passed Wednesday February 13, 2019.Al was born to Alfred Milton Rome Sr. and Mary Louise Rome on April 23, 1936 in Memphis, TN. He graduated from Central High School in 1954, attended Memphis State University, the University of Tennessee Memphis, and the Memphis Academy of Art. He married Betty Lou Ross in 1988 and they lived in Memphis, TN.He is survived by one daughter, Tia Renee Rome. He also has a sister, Aleeta Wingo, two brothers Richard Rome (Alisa), Kenneth Rome (Diane), a brother-in-law, Tommy Ross (Thelma) and nieces and nephews, Melanie Jones (Jerry), Holly Perritt (Ronnie), Stacey Young (Amy), Shawn Rome, Heather Neushwanter (John), Bradley Wingo (Jessica), Linda Szopinski (Jim), Patricia Jones (Barry), Sandra Stinson (Jeff), and John Ross (Missy) and numerous grand nieces and nephews.Al is also survived by a special family to his heart, Angela Riddick and his Grandchildren of Heart: Nicholas, P.J., Zach, Rachel, Bubba, Renezmee, Ryan, Abigail and Chloe.Al served for forty years in the Marine Corps Reserves, retiring in 1994. As a Chief Warrant Officer 5, Al was called to active duty during Operation Desert Storm where he served as Logistics Officer for Southwest Asia and Interim Chaplain. For his actions during Desert Storm he received the Navy Commendation Medal.Al was an Electrical Distribution Engineer for Memphis Light, Gas, & Water retiring in January 1994. He was a member and Chaplain of the Sgt. Walter K. Singleton Marine Corps League Detachment 476 and was active in the Marine Toys for Tots for 55 years. As a true Memphian Al was engaged in the Memphis social scene serving as a Vice President of the Cotton Carnival Association, King of Sphinx, Chairman of Sphinx, and Crew of Boll Weevils.As a member of Central Church in Collierville, TN, Al worked with Path Ministry, served for 12 years on the board of the Harbor House Substance Abuse Center and was a former board member for One By One Ministries.The family will receive friends at Central Church 2005 E Winchester Blvd, Collierville, TN 38017 on Monday, February 18 from 10:30-12:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow immediately at 12:00. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 with Full Military Honors to be rendered.The family requests memorials be made to one of the following of your choice: Central Church Senior Adult Ministries, 2005 East Winchester Blvd., Collierville, TN 38017, Sgt. Walter K. Singleton Marine Corps League Detachment 476 c/o Nate Hunter, 8396 Wild Dune Lane, Arlington, TN 38802, Mid-South Toys for Tots c/o Carol Howard, P.O. Box 1215, Olive Branch, MS 38654 or West Tennessee Veteran’s Home c/o Holly Swagger, P.O. Box 655, Cordova, TN 38088
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