The Shadow
ORISKANY - Aubrey L. Rock Sr., 92, of Oriskany, passed away to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan 23, 2010.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benton Deeds Rock and Effie Persinger Rock.
He served with the Army’s 25th Division during World War II in the Pacific. As a young man in the Civilian Conservation Corps, he learned his life’s trade as an electrician, building some of the very first electrical lines in Craig County. After the war, he again picked up his trade as an electrician and traveled the state,where he was instrumental in building the first electrical lines in many rural area. He and his wife settled in Salem in the 1950s, where he worked for the city of Salem’s Electrical Deptartment for 29 years, retiring in 1979. Aubrey was a simple, uncomplicated man that loved his family. His love for the outdoors always placed him by a stream, fishing for the big one or at the top of the mountain, trying to spot that big buck.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn Vowell Rock; his children; daughter, Scarlett Compton and husband, Frank, daughter, Frances Smith, daughter, Robin Dooley and husband, Kenneth, daughter, Tracey McPherson; and son, Aubrey L. Rock Jr. and wife, Rachel; two sisters, Josephine Rock Jones of Covington and Virginia Moore of Salem. He is also survived by 11 loving grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind many memories, all to be cherished by those blessed to know him.
A service celebrating Mr. Rock’s life was conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 at Simpson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Cox and the Rev. Troy Mays officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home and Crematory.
