Mr. Sol Cooper Rose, 81, of Fayetteville, died Thursday, August 2, 2007, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. A native of Fayetteville, he served in the Navy during World War II, enlisting at the age of 17. Returning home after the war he attended college at North Carolina State University where he graduated with a degree in Forestry. He set up a surveying business in his hometown in 1951 in a small room in the Home Federal Savings and Loans building. The business continued to grow, later becoming known as Rose & Purcell and ultimately the Rose Group. Mr. Rose served on the Fayetteville City Council from 1961 to 1963, and was a visionary who had a dream for what his community could be. He worked hard at that goal throughout his life serving on various commissions and boards in both the City and County. He was a pioneer in downtown revitalization, moving the company business to its current location on Market Square in 1985, long before the revitalization took off. He was known for his work in developing the King's Grant community on the north side of town and for Campbellton Landing on the banks of his beloved Cape Fear River. He was working at Campbellton Landing on July 30 when he felt ill and went to the hospital where he later underwent heart surgery from which he did not recover. Sol Rose was best known for outstanding character, his strong faith in God, his love for his country and the people he touched during his 81 years. Anyone who ever dealt with Sol Rose knew they would be treated fairly and with respect. He not only raised three sons, but leaves a legacy of influence on the lives of many other young men who worked with him in some capacity; men who would go on to become leaders in their own right, guided by the same principles of the man who had touched them. A memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon, August 5, 2007, at 3 pm in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church with Dr. John Wright Coker and Dr. Ben McCoy officiating. He is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Mary Bright Jernigan Rose; three sons, Gordon Alston Rose and his wife Becky, George McNeill Rose and his wife Ann, and Samuel Steele Rose; granddaughters, Sarah, Libby, Kirby and Molly Rose; and a brother, John M. Rose; The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 to 9 pm at the funeral home. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Salvation Army.