Cleo Eugene Rosson, age 89, of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at his home.

 

He was born on April 12, 1936, in rural South Coffeyville, Oklahoma to Leslie and Addie (Pierce) Rosson. Cleo grew up in Nowata County south of Valeda, Kansas where he attended Thompson School and completed his education graduating from Lenapah High School in Lenapah, Oklahoma, during his senior year he was the school bus driver.

 

On April 7, 1962, he married Beatrice "Bea" Purkey in Miami, Oklahoma. Following their marriage they made their home in Nowata County.

 

Cleo lived his life with a love for his family, his community. He was a dedicated boiler maker by trade, working for many years at CVR Energy in Coffeyville, Kansas until his retirement. Cleo roped calves and loved team roping, he was a lifetime member of the United States Team Roping Association, as well as a longtime member of the Edna Round-up Club.

 

He is survived by his wife, Bea Rosson, and his children Teresa Bourne, Judy (Jim) Ekhoff, and Monty (Mary) Rosson. He was a loving grandfather to six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Cleo was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Addie Rosson, his daughter, Debbie Rosson, and his brother, Buddy Rosson and sister Darlen Szelpajlo.

 

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Cleo's life will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.

 

The family suggests memorials in Cleo's memory to Comforting Hands Hospice in Grove, Oklahoma or Edna Round-up Club; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306, North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.

 

We invite you to share your memories of Cleo and upload photos to his memorial page at www.dwbfh.com.