John Roop Oldham, aka Johnny Rose, aka Elvis, aka Austin Powers, beloved brother, son, friend, entertainer, limo driver and long-time florist of St. Louis Missouri passed away in his home, Monday January 3, 2022.
John was born September 26, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri to Jimmy B and Sara Roop Oldham. He was the oldest of 4 children and son of a Church of Christ minister which was the basis of his faith throughout his life. He is survived by 2 siblings, Rebecca Ann Patane of Sonora, CA and James Taylor Oldham of Lincroft, NJ; 1 niece; Sarah Rose Patane and 2 nephews; Dustin James Sims, Mitchell Burke Oldham.
John was a bright shining light in this world. Sharing his love and enthusiasm for life was his mission every day. He was generous to a fault and would give everything he had to help someone else in need even if he didn’t have much to give. He did not have a lot of money throughout his life, but he was rich with love, faith, friends and family every day on this earth. As many have said, “John never met a stranger”.
He was gregarious, energetic and oh so stubborn. John did not like things to be without emotion or just to exist or be “normal”, he always needed to infuse something to spice up the moment through song, dance or an unpopular opinion, whatever was required to create the spark. On our parents 40th wedding anniversary dinner at Aliotos in San Francisco, a high-end seafood restaurant right on Fisherman’s Wharf, our entire immediate family was together, which was rare in itself. We had just finished a wonderful meal and family communion together. John asked me if I thought it appropriate in the middle of the restaurant to start singing a song to our mother. I said I did not believe it was the right time or place but of course right as I finished my sentence he stood up and sang “You are the wind beneath my Wings” loud and proud with an encore of “New York, New York”. I thought my dad and my sister were going to die of embarrassment on the spot. Dad almost dropped his newly filled coffee about halfway through the song out of his shaking hand. Dad was not the biggest fan of John’s voice, but I have to say it did improve over the years. My mom was very flattered and loved it because it was her oldest child who she adored! He did receive a standing ovation from most of the other diners. It was just one of many memories he gave our family and went on to make a career of making memories for others at times of celebration and sadness.
John is now reunited with our mother and father, and our brother, Paul David Oldham, our Uncle George Oldham and all our grandparents, and countless loved ones in heaven. Our loss is their gain. John, may your soul be at peace in your eternal life with God. We miss you and your light here!
Special thanks to all of John’s friends and extended family in St. Louis for all these years who have loved and cared for him as your own. We did not get together enough as a family, but we always knew he was in a place that he loved and that was filled with people who loved him.
We will celebrate John’s life with family and friends at 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 (archive.kutisfuneralhomes.com/locations/), Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 5pm-7:30pm. There will be a visitation time from 5-7pm and a remembrance service at 7pm for those who would like to share their love and memories of John together.
John’s ashes will be laid to rest with his mother and father at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.
Donations can be made in John’s name to No Kid Hungry, www.nokidhungry.org
Johnny you were a blessing to the world and I shall mis you beyond words
Johnny was such a great guy. He was always fun to talk with. Despite only seeing each other in person a handful of times and living in different states, we called each other friends!
Enjoy the afterlife MY FRIEND!
Johnny you will always hold a place in my Heart you will be missed until we meet again my Friend…
John was blessed with a giving heart and life! We pray that God will be close to all who knew and loved him! May you know that Jesus loves each of you and He loved John! We thank God for Jimmy and Becky who survive him and are helping make this a wonderful tribute to a life well lived!
I am overwhelmed with the loss of John who I have known for 60 years . I watched him grow & mature into the man he became. John , I’ll see you soon
Love,
Randy Waldman
Sending our love & prayers for Peace to you & your families, Jimmy & Becky. So glad we could be a part of John’s funeral service from afar. So nice to hear the cherished memories from his close friends there. We’ll all miss your shining light, John.. until we meet again..
Love, Anne & Mike Gaines
Johnny Rose was our Santa at The Polar Express train ride from November-December 2021 season in St. Louis. I was the talent manager for the event. I really enjoyed working with Johnny and loved his enthusiasm to play Santa for all the children onboard the train. I am so sad to hear of his passing. He was so willing to work through the entire season that ended 12/30. He had spread so much joy during the season 🙂 I am thankful to be able to know Santa Johnny during this short period of time. Sending love and peace to his family and friends.
John was a lovely person who shared his thoughts and feelings in the Sunday Sharing Circle at Living Insights Center in St Louis. Sometimes he would tear up when talking about his life and encounters. I will always remember him with fondness even though our political opinions could be at odds. I just heard about his death today and wish I’d been able to attend his service last week.
May he live forever more.
I MET DEAR JOHNNY AT THE LIVING INSIGHTS CENTER AND SPOKE ABOUT WHAT I DID. I AM A SPIRITUAL TEACHER JOHNNY LIKED WHAT I SAID AND JOINED MY MONDAY NIGHT SERVICES IN MY HOME. THAT WAS IN 2004 AFTER MY HUSBAND PASSED. JOHNNY CAME EVERY MONDAY FOR 8 YEARS AND THEN STARTED DRIVING PEOPLE TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT AND OTHER PLACES. HE ALWAYS SANG A BEAUTIFUL SONG TO UPLIFT THE ENERGY. HE SANG AT MY GRAND DAUGHTERS FUNERAL SERVICE, HE SANG AT MY BIRTHDAY PARTIES , HE SANG FOR OUR FRIEND CHARLOTTE’S BIRTHDAY AND ALSO WHEN SHE PASSED AT THE AGE OF 100. I WOULD HAVE
COME TO HIS SERVICE BUT DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS UNTIL 1/21/22. HE WOULD CALL ME ONCE A MONTH TO SEE IF I WAS OKAY OR NEEDED ANYTHING, A DEAR FRIEND, BROTHER IN SPIRIT. WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH BUT HE WILL BE SHINING HIS LIGHT FROM ABOVE. BLESSINGS AND MUCH LOVE, ELSIE MILLA
LD HAVE COME TOO HIS SERVICE BUT DID NOT KNOW HE HAD PASSED UNTIl
A FRIEND CALLED AND TOLD ME 1/21/22
I am very saddened and shocked to read of the Passing of John. He was a very special person and I will always be grateful for his kindness towards others. I hope and Pray that he is in a Good Place, and at Peace.
My sympathy to his Family and Friends.
Jacqueline Harris-Schwartz
In preparing for our 50th high school reunion, I became aware of John’s passing. John and I went to our senior prom together, and stayed in touch throughout the years. He always made me feel special. Be at peace with God, my friend!