Rose Crazybear

Rose Marie Crazybear, longtime Ponca City resident, died peacefully Tuesday morning, October 29, 2019 at her home in Ponca City with her Opportunity Center caretakers lovingly at her side.  Rose was 54 years of age.  Rose was born on May 19, 1965 in Okmulgee, OK to Marie Hinman Crazybear and Bennett Crazybear.   Rose lived with her parents and her brother, Bennett Crazybear Jr. when she was young and later lived with an aunt and uncle, Mike and Bernadine Roy.  Following their parents’ divorce, custody of Rose and Bennett was given to their paternal grandmother, Nora Crazybear.  In March of 1970, Rose was seen at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City and was diagnosed as having Down Syndrome.  Rose attended special education classes in Ponca City at the First Baptist Day School from July 1970 – 1972.  On 11/07/1973, Mrs. Nora Crazybear, grandmother, applied for DHS services so that Rose would be able to go to school to learn.  Rose was admitted to NORCE (previously Enid State School) on 01/29/1974 and resided there until 06/18/1984.  During the time she was at NORCE, she attended Cherokee Park School (on the Enid State School campus) until she graduated high school in 1984.

Rose moved to Ponca City on 06/18/1984 with the Opportunity Center, Inc. and lived in a group home for a time and then moved into a DLS home with two roommates in November of 1997.  In 1999, Debbie Turney requested that Rose move in with her.  Rose and Debbie knew each other from NORCE.  “Rosey Posey” and “Debbie Doo”, as they are affectionately known, have lived together for over 20 years and developed a loving friendship.  Rose and Deb did many things together, but no matter where they were, they made sure they got to Sonic every day at Happy Hour so Rose could get her Route 44 Dr. Pepper and Deb, a small or medium drink. They enjoyed many trips together – including several trips to Branson, MO to check out the music shows, etc. and numerous trips to Stillwater to eat at Eskimo Joe’s and go shopping at Joe’s for t-shirts.  Rose also went on a trip to Disney World in Florida with one of her special caretakers, Melissa Albers.  Throughout the years, Rose spent many holidays with her “OPC family”.  Most recently, Rose and Deb spent many holiday and birthday celebrations with “family”, Melissa Albers, Tina Warren and their children.

Rose was an avid OSU Cowboy fan and wore orange and black as often as she could.  Rose loved music and dancing.  She loved going to the Ponca Tribe Pow-Wows and participated in the dances and enjoyed seeing her family members.  Rose participated in Special Olympics and earned numerous medals and ribbons throughout the years.  She competed in Weight Lifting, Softball throw, Track and Field, Bocce Ball and Bowling.  Rose also loved WWE wrestling – especially “The Rock”.  The Rock was her man!  She had many posters of him in her room and even a picture with him that one of her friends “photoshopped” in for her.  Rose watched WWE wrestling on TV the night before she died.

Rose will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.  Rose always had a smile on her face and never met a stranger.  She loved giving and receiving hugs.  One of her strengths was her interest in socialization with her peers.  Rose was friendly, independent and stubborn.  She loved to go shopping, eat cheeseburgers and drink Dr. Pepper’s.  Her favorite music was rock and roll, but she loved any type of music as well.  She especially liked Michael Jackson, Queen and Elvis.  She loved peace signs, wearing her OSU ball caps backwards! and buying Native American items with wolves, buffalos and feathers.

Rose had a variety of jobs throughout her life and was reportedly a good employee who could perform a wide variety of vocational tasks.  Rose worked for Subway Sandwich Shop for 6 years and also worked janitorial at Hastings Video and Books.  She has also been employed at the Caboose Thrift Shop, the Country Store and at Whimsy.  Due to numerous health issues, Rose “medically retired” several years ago.

Rose truly had a Village of love and support throughout her life at The Opportunity Center.  She was loved and cared for by numerous people (too many to mention by name) – including OPC Directors, Program Managers, Program Coordinators, board members, clerical, house managers, HTS staff, vocational staff, maintenance staff, ETL teacher, dietitian, Skilled Nursing staff, special advocates, DDS Case Managers, Supervisors, RN’s, QA staff, DDS personnel and all her wonderful friends at Opportunity Center, including her longtime housemate Deb Turney.  Most recently she was loved and cared for by her Hospice nurses and staff.  Rose touched each of our lives in different ways.  We were blessed to know her.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Bennett Crazybear, Marie Hinman Crazybear Pappan; uncle and aunt, Mike and Bernadine Roy; grandmother, Nora Crazybear and numerous other family members.

Rose is survived by her wonderful caregivers at the Opportunity Center as well as the following family members: Bennett Crazybear Jr., brother; Clairene Arkeketa, aunt; Norene Pappan, aunt; and cousins Marcie Hudson, Tina Montanez, Molly Kemble, Clinton Pappan, Karen Littlecook and numerous other friends and family.

Rose’s Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, November 1, 2019 at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Louis Headman, Ponca Indian Nazarene Church pastor and Chaplain Mike Sweetman, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, presiding.  Visitation will be Thursday at Grace Memorial Chapel from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm and Friday morning from 9:00 am – noon.  Burial will follow at Ponca Indian Cemetery following the services.  Honorary Casket Bearers are her Opportunity Center Friends and Family and her Ponca Nation Tribal Family.  Online condolences are available at www.gracememorialchapel.net .  Services are under the care of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Opportunity Center, 2225 N Union, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74601.

We are asking that all of Rose’s friends wear orange and black to her service to support her love of the OSU Cowboys.  Go Pokes!!!