'Mr. Northport': City Mourns Loss Of Longtime Mayor Wayne Rose

Tuscaloosa AL

09 February, 2021

11:16 PM

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NORTHPORT, AL — Wayne Rose was a blue-collar mayor who won more elections in his political career than any other politician in Northport's history. But according to one colleague and friend, it wasn't uncommon for him to swear-in Northport Police officers at his sawmill while sitting on a piece of heavy machinery. Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app. Donna Aaron was a city councilwoman when Rose was mayor, before going on to be the first woman elected mayor of Northport. She told Patch that Rose, who owned and operated Rose Lumber Company for over 60 years, was comfortable holding court at his sawmill and the people loved him that much more for it. "It wasn't unusual for them to go down to the mill and him be on some kind of big tractor sitting on the seat," she said. "People would go down there, businessmen, they thought nothing at all about going to the mill, him in his work clothes — that didn't make a difference to them or to him. He truly was a good man. He thought of Northport very deeply." An outpouring of support could be seen on social media Tuesday following the news that Rose had died Monday, just a couple weeks shy of his 78th birthday. His daughter, Whitney Rose DuBose, told Patch that the longtime man of the people suffered a stroke eight and a half years ago, valiantly battling the complications until his passing. Rose cultivated a sense of public service in his children, as DuBose serves as the city's community relations coordinator and her brother, Joseph Rose, is the city's Human Resources director. Whitney Rose DuBose (left) with her father, Northport Mayor Wayne Rose (Photo submitted by Whitney Rose DuBose) "He always told people 'he was Northport' and to not get confused with Tuscaloosa because there were big differences," she said. "He taught us hard work, how to respect our elders, the importance of an education, and how to give to our community. If you ever wanted to find my Daddy, you would find him at the sawmill — climbing up and down off a loader." Aaron said DuBose could convince the longtime public servant better than most, as the two shared a deep bond that DuBose attributed to a "fiery spirit." "He loved his family and, in-turn, they loved him," Aaron said. "I think Whitney was truly the apple of his eye. She could talk him into things if she wanted to, and she didn't usually want to, but she could talk to him and reason with him really, really well." DuBose also mentioned the close connection with her Daddy, saying their demeanors helped them understand each other. "Wayne passed on to my brother and me the importance of giving back to our community," she said. "His love for Northport was deep and he rooted that same love into my life as well as Joseph's." While the impact had on his family can still be seen through two heavy-hitters in City Hall, Rose was instrumental in shaping the landscape of not only Northport, but Tuscaloosa County as a whole. "I just think Northport wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for Wayne Rose," said longtime Northport City Attorney Ron Davis in an interview with Patch. "He is 'Mr. Northport' if there is anyone who deserves that title." Aaron also spoke to the visible legacy left by Rose, which can be seen from Historic Downtown Northport to economic development. "He and I were a part of the group that helped get Mercedes here," the former mayor said. "He was instrumental in helping get the levee built. He was instrumental in working with downtown folks to get it looking to the way it was and will continue to do. He was a force with helping with the money for the new [Tuscaloosa] County High, putting that money forward, and the widening of Highway 43. Really, it's everywhere you look." Both Aaron and Davis also pointed to Rose's role in the city building its own water and sewer plants. "We started doing our own water instead of buying it at an exorbitant cost from Tuscaloosa and then you have the waster water plant. Just about anywhere you look, even [Northport DCH] here. That was some of his family land where they built that hospital." Rose was elected to the Northport City Council in 1976, serving a term before losing a re-election bid in 1980 and eventually gaining back his seat in 1984. He would go on to defeat incumbent Mayor Ed Robertson and serve in the city's highest office from 1988 to 2000. Numerous sources also pointed out that Rose's uncle, George Rose, was also a two-term Northport mayor. His last foray into politics would come in May 2017, when he was nominated by District 5 Councilman Jeff Hogg to serve on the District 1 seat following the resignation of Lee Boozer. His final tenure on the Council would last an unceremonious 56 days, but officials still praised the Northport political fixture and the widespread impact he had on his community. "Mr. Wayne was a pillar of Northport," Hogg told Patch on Tuesday. "Through hard work and dedication, our city is in a better place for having him serve for so many years. He was a positive influence on me and many others. I think that best defines the legacy of Wayne Rose." Davis referred to Rose as a "quiet leader," who chose to not seek the limelight, prefering to work efficiently and keep the City Council unified by example. "I would say that, in Northport, our form of government is a little different than Tuscaloosa, because our mayor doesn't have a vote," he said, referring to the Northport City Council president serving as the tie-breaking vote on council measures. "He had five votes usually. The Council looked up to him and that made a big difference. He could build a consensus, but stayed behind the scenes most of the time and let others people take the credit. He got a lot accomplished." Aaron then spoke to Rose's character as a reason for his success in politics and in life. "I can't think of anybody who did not like him," she said. "Some of them would get angry because he wouldn't do what they wanted him to do. But first and foremost, he did what he thought he had to do and he was a very likable man and would work with you in any shape, form or fashion. He was ethical and, nowadays, you don't find many ethical politicians." Services for Wayne Rose will be held on Friday, Feb. 12 at Sunset Funeral Home from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. followed by a private family burial on Saturday. Follow Patch here for updates or on Facebook and Twitter.