Charles H. Rockey

We are only given so many years on this earth and no matter how many possessions or how much money we leave behind, our legacy is determined by our character and the way we lived. The legacy of Charles H. Rockey is founded firmly in faith, compassion, and proactive love. Guided by his kindness and generosity, everyday he sought ways to serve the people around him, at home, at church, and in his community. Charles always made time to help out wherever he was needed, yet his priority was being a husband, father, and grandfather. The happiest days of his life were his wedding day and the days that each of his children and grandchildren were born. These were the days that left a smile on his face and an impression on his heart that lasted an entire lifetime. The years following the stock market crash of 1929 had not been kind to most Americans. Jobs were scarce, money was tight, and the word depression described more than just the economy. Some folks found happiness in movies and music, others in books and board games, but no matter what the distraction was, it was just that, a distraction. In the summer of 1933, however, Hugh L. Rockey, and his wife Maude (Hamilton), found a true cause for celebration and reason to rejoice. On July 21st of that year, the couple was beaming from ear to ear as they welcomed the arrival of their seventh child, a son they named Charles. Although Charles was the youngest of seven children born in his family, he would only ever know four of his six brothers and sisters. He would grow up alongside siblings Lloyd, Gordon, Glen, and Alva, while the two others, Leatha and Lester, had already been laid to rest. Born and raised in Muskegon, Charles's father worked in maintenance at Sheldon's and his mother was a full-time homemaker, with the exception of the war years when she worked at the Norge. All in all, he had a happy and somewhat typical childhood for a young boy of his generation. He loved cars, going to the races at Marne, roller skating, and hanging around with his older brothers. As a teenager, Charles attended Muskegon Heights High School, but left shortly after completing the tenth grade. Around the same time Charles was entering high school, America had become embroiled in the battle over Korea. Just a few years later in 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country overseas during this very tumultuous time in American history. In 1955, the same year that he was discharged and returned home, his life would be forever changed. It all started more than seven years earlier, when his mother had introduced him to a young lady named Marilyn Swayer. Charles had just joined the youth group at Calvary Church, where Marilyn was also a member, and the two of them found that they shared many of the same interests including going skating, taking walks, and being involved in the youth group. After years of growing their relationship, on April 28, 1955 Charles and Marilyn made their commitment to one another official and took their vows of marriage. In Charles, Marilyn saw a compassionate husband with the most wonderful sense of humor, and in Marilyn, Charles found a loving wife who shared his same passion for serving the Lord. Honoring the vows he took, Charles made his marriage to Marilyn a priority, second only to God. Over the next several years, the couple welcomed four children including Bob, John, Nancy, and Brian. Being a dad was a welcomed challenge for Charles and something he excelled in. He was patient and kind, creative and wise, and always took an active interest in each of his children's lives. When it came to discipline he made the rules very clear, yet he was fair and understanding when it came to enforcing them. Charles may have earned a paycheck as a machinist, but he knew his most valuable job was at home with his family. To Charles, the things that were important in life were his marriage, his children, his grandchildren, as they began to arrive, and his church. He was a lifetime member at Calvary Church and liked to volunteer his time and talents wherever there was a need. He found that he had a special gift for building sets for programs put on by the church, but more than that he really enjoyed doing it. Charles was very thoughtful and if ever something needed to be done at home or at church, he was always the first in line to help out. In 1988, Charles retired from his career, freeing up even more time for him to focus on the people and pastimes he loved the most. He liked collecting cars and elephants, playing golf, Nascar races, and taking walks on the pier in Grand Haven. Since his days in the youth group, Charles enjoyed taking leisurely strolls and even his vision of playing golf was to walk along and look for golf balls in obscure places. In addition to his kids and grandkids, Charles also had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs, and owned a number of special pets over the years. In almost any situation, Charles was able to find humor and have fun with it. That same sense of humor that Marilyn had fallen in love with so many years earlier had never faded and he still loved to clown around and play practical jokes. Throughout his lifetime, Charles had many things that brought him happiness, but none were as important to him as his faith and his family. Now, as they grieve his passing, they can find joy in their memories, comfort in their faith, and peace knowing that he has gone on to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior. What the earth has lost is truly Heaven's gain. Charles H. Rockey, age 73, died on Thursday, December 7, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; 3 sons, Bob (Gail) Rockey of Muskegon, John (Ann) Rockey of Katy, TX, Brian Rockey of Muskegon; daughter, Nancy (Dale) Price of Dayton, OH; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Alva (Barb) Rockey of Venice, FL; many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers & 1 sister. Services will be held on Monday, December 11, 2006, 1:00 PM at Calvary Church with Rev. Dr. William J. Rudd officiating. Interment will be at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon and Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Please visit Charles's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.