Open Full Navigation
We're sorry but the candle you have selected is currenty in the process of being purchased or has just recently been purchased.
Please feel free to select another candle or check back in 15 minutes to see if the candle you have selected has been released for purchase.
Thank you.
We're sorry but there are no candles available for lighting.
Thank you.
You have already begun a candle purchase session. If you would like to continue with your current candle choice please click "Continue" otherwise please click "Select Another".
Thank you.
The lighting of a Memorial Candle not only provides a gesture of sympathy and support to the immediate family during their time of need but also provides the gift of extending the Book of Memories for future generations.
Vondel Smith Mortuary
6934 South Western Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
UNITED STATES
73139
In the event that there is an error
in the information presented,
please contact the funeral
home by clicking here.
James A. Rosacker, MD,
Affectionately known as "Gus" to friends and family, Pop to his kids, and PaPa Gus or Poppy to his grandkids. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, after a short but brave battle with leukemia. To know him was to love him. Gus was the eternal optimist. He never met a stranger, and would engage anyone. He was kind and compassionate and received great pleasure from giving whatever he could give to whomever he thought might need something. He was as witty as they come and his laugh was contagious. His unique individuality was mesmerizing. Twitching and wiggling his nose, his intense blink, fluffing his hair. He was intelligent and articulate. A mentor and a role model to more people than he knew. He was extremely proud of his children and his family and lived the example of how to live life and have fun. His talents were many. An artist, a poet, a self-declared chef, and a singer with a beautiful voice. He was an athlete and a tough competitor. He would challenge anyone to a game of one-on-one or horse (with a wager if you’d like). He would ALWAYS offer double or nothing too. He also loved snow skiing, ATV riding at Little Sahara, and boating and fishing at Lake Texoma. He loved to hunt big game and fish in Alaska, and loved to bird hunt in Kansas. He was born in Great Lakes, Illinois and being a marine’s son (and his dad’s youngest recruit) he was brought up in a rigid and disciplined household. He lived in many different places, including Cuba, Kansas City, Quantico VA, and Vista CA. After graduating high school in Rhode Island, he finally landed in Okc where he began his undergraduate pursuits. He would eventually graduate with a medical degree and an M.S. in pathology, both from the University of Oklahoma. He became a successful Orthopedic Surgeon, practicing 40 years and becoming a fixture in the south Okc area, and was a brilliant surgeon. His children were some of his most frequented patients. He was adored and cherished by his patients and was considered a family doctor that specialized in orthopedics by many of them. He began his career at South Community Hospital, and transitioned to Community hospital, which he co-founded. He was instrumental in it’s development, and one of the main driving forces that has made it the success it is today. His passion over the last several years became the development of Chi-myst, a topical analgesic pain control alternative.
He is preceded in death by his father Col. Ralph Rosacker and mother-in-law Pearl, and will be sorely missed by his wife Carol, Mother Martha Rosacker, children David(Janet)West, Karen(Phillip)Maroc, Derek(Amy)West, Candice(Andy)Hicks, and Chris(Mary)Rosacker and family. Grandkids Nicholas, Jacob, and Connor, Drake and Breese, Ryan, Emma, Kennedy, and Greyson, Carson, Hudson, Isabella, Hannah, and Jackson. Brothers Lt Col Ralph” Rocky” and family and Lt Col David “Nails” and family.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James A. Rosacker MD, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Cherishing Life Sharing Forever
This Book of Memories brings those affected by loss together by encouraging communication and self-expression. By giving friends and family a special place to tell their stories and express their feelings of loss, it helps them care for one another during a very difficult time. Click on any of the links to the right to access features or information within this memorial website.
Memorial Tribute Website Proudly Provided by:
Vondel Smith Mortuary
6934 South Western Avenue PO Box 891320
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Phone: 405-634-1439
Map | Directions | Contact Us