Douglas Dispatch

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Former Douglas Bulldog Antonio (Tony) Cortez Rose was named this year’s D-Day dedicatee.

Rose, graduated from Douglas High School in 1977. He was employed by the Douglas Unified School District, where he worked in the grounds and maintenance department since 2006. In addition to being employed with DUSD, he also worked for DARC, Oxford Industries, Wackenhut, Department of Corrections and Phelps Dodge.

While he was in high school, Rose received many awards and recognition for his achievements in athletics, especially football.

He was a four year letterman; was selected KTAR Co-Player of the year; First Team All State in 1974, '75 and '76; First Team All Conference in '74, '75, '76; AA South Offensive Player of the Year in 76, and Arizona Prep Sophomore of the year in 75.

Rose was also a three year letterman in baseball and basketball. He was selected to play in the AA South/North All Star game his senior year.

While in high school, Rose set many state records in several offensive categories, including 65 career TD passes, TD passes-season (25), passing yardage-career (5281 yards), passing yardage-season (1902 yards), longest TD pass in a game (99 yards) and most yards passing in a single game (267 yards). To this day, some of these records remain unbroken.

Many of Rose's offensive statistics still remain in the top five in Douglas High School history. As a sophomore in 1974, he threw for 267 yards against Amphi, which ranks fifth for yards passing in a single game. He ranks second, fourth and fifth for most passing yards in a season. He still ranks No. 1 for passing yards in a career. Rose threw for 5,281 yards, nearly 2,000 more yards than the No.2 ranked quarterback.

Rose still ranks No. 1 for the longest TD pass in a game, a 99 yard bomb to one of his favorite targets, Bill Salzbrenner, in 1975 vs. Rincon. He is also tied for No.1 for most touch downs in a game (four), having accomplished this on four different occasions. He also ranks No.1 for touchdowns in a season with 24, while also holding the second and third spots in this same category.

Rose still remains No.1 for touchdown passes in his career with 65. Second on the list is his cousin and former DHS graduate and current volunteer football coach David Rose.

After graduating from DHS, Tony was offered the opportunity to play in the Kansas City Royals farm system. He declined and attended Panhandle State University, in Goodwell, Oklahoma where he played football briefly during the fall of 1977 before returning to Douglas where he was a starting pitcher for Cochise College. Tony played two years for the Apaches and earned an Associate of Arts Degree in education.

He was active in the community, coaching little league and Babe Ruth baseball. He coached his brothers, nephews and many Douglas kids. He was a great mentor, reaching to kids on a personal level by sharing his own life experiences on and off the field. He followed his brothers’, nieces’, nephews’ and cousins’ athletic events. Many of them played sports at DHS.

His cousin, Blaze Rose, is currently the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs.

Tony lived all his life in Douglas and has a daughter, Jacqueline Suzette Rose, who lives in Sierra Vista and teaches second grade at the Center for Academic Success.

Tony is best remembered by his employers for his dedication and hard work. He possessed an excellent work ethic, never faltering even in the last couple of months when he was already ill. His coworkers, administrators, teachers and family all noticed Tony always strived to do the best job he possibly could. He rarely ever used sick leave, and he often canceled vacation time, opting to work instead. Tony was quiet, reserved and kept to himself most of the time.

He will be remembered for his smile and grin that everyone loved. Tony was a loving father and family man. He was also a generous and compassionate care taker, who had a history of caring for many ill family members. He is a true genuine friend to many in our community. When asked for advice or for an opinion, he would tell you exactly what was on his mind and not necessarily what you wanted to hear. This is who he was; an honest, kind man, with a simple lifestyle.

Tony’s family said they are humbled to accept the honor of Homecoming Dedicatee on Tony's behalf.

“We thank you and may God bless you all,” they said in a written statement