Earl Leonard Rosell, Jr
August 18, 1924 - July 12, 2010
A Life Well Lived Riding the Rainbow
Born in San Diego, California to Earl and Rita Rosell. A young man at the age of 17, enlisted in the Navy the Day after Pearl Harbor. Earl, an artist, actor, Arizona, awesome, amazing, adventurous, Art, Brave, believer, BROTHER, beautiful, “Big Red”, cowboy, community, chef, creative, California, clever, courageous, connoisseur, considerate, DAD, dreamer, demonstrative, enthusiastic, energetic, electric, earth, FRIEND, fun, fabulous, FAMILY, FATHER, Great, giving, genuine, GRANDPA, generous, “Giant Trooper”, grammarian, HORSES, humble, HUSBAND, humorous, history, HERO, Incredible, impulsive, jewelry, jumper, kind, lover, learner, land, “Little Big Man”, listener, movies, motion pictures, MONTANA, nature, NAVY, native, original, “outside the box”, organizer, promoter, positive, patriotic, philosopher, prince, “pearl”, political, powerful, passionate, precious, PROUD, Roses, Real Bird, SANTA, sleigh, spouse, scholar, spirit, stimulating, supportive, spontaneous, SON. Thinker, terrific, traveler, thoughtful, touching, “UNCLE EARL”, unique, vivacious, vocal, witty, x-tra special, young, zealous…..unforgettable.
Earl L. Rosell was a friend to many. He is missed by his friends and family: His devoted and loyal wife, Antoinette “Toni” Rosell. Daughter, Erleen “Tami”, her children Rebecca, Christie, and Matheu (great granddaughter Victoria Rose, son, Earl III “Trey” preceded his father in death, his children Earl IV preceded his grandfather in death and Sarah, daughter, Rene’ and Richard, their children, Jordan, Shelby, and Hayden.
We thank his physicians, Dr. David K. Drill and Dr. Charlie Wittnam, and we thank Magnolia Place, Rocky Mountain Hospice, Forest Ridge, and Journey Hospice.
Please join us for a
Celebration of Life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of one’s
choice.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 pm Thursday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I met Earl when I was a teenager. He sold me my beautiful black gelding he had used for the mounted patrol. He was a kind, patient and funny man. Through Earl, I was introduced to the Dick Logan family where Earl kept his horse. Earl was very helpful to the Logan's as they aged. Always a 'larger-than-life' person, Earl was a great mentor and a part of him will always be a part of me.
Bill Coddington
Happy Trails, Earl! Hopefully the last ride really is the best! I envision that you are now where the horses are fine, the women are beautiful and there are copious amounts of your favorite red wine!
Thank you for all the times you beamed your famous 1000 kilowatt smile my way. Thank you for lightening my life with laughter. Thank you for your encouragement and inspiration and unconditional love. I am blessed to have walked in the imprints of your boots and moccasins!
While knowing that you’re now free helps to comfort me, learning that your beloved Trey had passed away before you deepens the dimension and impact of your loss. I am doubly sorry for your family and your legacy.
Happy Trails to you, Earl Jr., and to Trey too. “Until we meet again…” peace be with you.
Merry Lee Olson
Toni and Family:
We were so saddened to hear of Earl's passing. We have such fond memories of his years in the Sheriff's Posse and days of Cowboy Polo. We shall always remember the first time we saw BIG RED jump up and into the back of the pick-up with no sides and stay there for the ride home.
July 20 1961-My father wished me happy
birthday that morning and said he had a birthday surprise for me
later, but first I was to meet a good friend of his to discuss my
options on picking my present. That afternoon my father introduced
me to a man by the name of Earl Rosell. He had three young gelding
American saddle horsed available for me to pick one from. Boy-what
more could a kid that just turned 13 could ask for. Ya know Earl,
looking back almost 50 years ago, the real birthday present that I
received that day was you. Putting your wings around me and exposing
me to your world of ranching, horses, cattle, nature, the Crow
Indians, and friends was probably one of the best birthday presents
my father ever gave to me. Thanks Earl for the guidance and the
adventures that really impacted my life. Too bad the world didn't
have more people like you.
DAN BURNETT
Dear Toni, Rene and families,
Just learned of Earls passing and we are so very sorry. Many many
fond memories of our years in Al Bedoo, politics, campaigns,
parades. banquets, luncheons at the Northern and just plain sitting
and yakking. Always a delight but since living in Arizona it's been
difficult and we have missed those special times together as our
trips to Montana get fewer. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
always. Love, Harry "Doc" & Jean McLane
Your creative obituary captures part of
you and still not enough! I loved it. There really wasn't any
boundary for Earl's description---larger than life and larger
than description, I guess. I met Earl while working at
Principal, and he was a beam of light there for me.
He was a gentleman--a very kind and 'get 'er done' guy.
There wasn't much Earl wouldn't tackle.
We had laughs, shared some dreams, and
ate some great lunches. Earl introduced me to menudo. I am
very sorry to have lost touch with you, my friend. All
Earthly limits you had to deal with are now gone; happy trails,
indeed. My deepest sympathy to Toni, your family and close
friends. I am sure that Earl's loss leaves a major chasm for you
to cross.
Bonnie Eldredge
I remember riding in the back of his truck on
Saturday mornings when he made the rounds picking up kids to go ride
at the ranch. We bounced around back there many times going out to
rope and ride, run in the horses, gather the cattle. How many kids
got to see buffalo close enough to reach out and touch them through
the bars of a corral. He gave us all summer’s filled with fun and
friendships. He allowed us on the set when they were filming “Little
Big Men.” What a treat to see how they filmed some of the scenes. He
was patient and allowed us to make mistakes. His friendship did not
end when we moved on in our lives. He stayed in contact. My children
remember his visits at Christmas time. Santa really did come if you
were good. His infectious grin, his laugh, and a giving spirit will
live on even though he is no longer with us.
Earl was many things to many people in his life. To me, he will
always be my Uncle Earl. I know he is reunited with those he loved
and Big Red is there by his side too.
Mary R. Dolan and family