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John David Rock, born Richard John Monroe, of Spencer, 62, passed away on Friday March 27, 2020 at the Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House after battling small cell cancer. John was born on June 1, 1957 in Burbank, California. His family moved to Georgia and then South Carolina where he graduated from Aiken South Carolina Technical College.
He proudly served in the US Navy doing many varied assignments worldwide. While stationed in San Diego, CA he graduated from National University cum laud with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. His last duty station was aboard the USS Orion located in La Magdalena, Sardinia. Always proud of his country and military service, John was a member of the American Legion.
After the Navy, John worked as a Quality Assurance Engineer for Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT. While in Connecticut he met and married Karin Hoffman Marino in October of 1987. Their life together was always an adventure. They started their own trucking company, J&K Trucking. Eventually they moved to North Carolina. John worked for several different trucking companies while Karin stayed at home until her two sons had graduated. Karin then earned her CDL and they drove team for several years. John and Karin relocated to Florida then back to Connecticut then finally settling in Spencer, NC. Until his diagnosis John was employed by Old Dominion Freight Lines.
John loved to fish as it always reminded him of many happy childhood memories fishing with his grandfather. He spent many happy summers on High Rock Lake out on his boat ‘the Deadliest Catch’ or spending time with his “family of the heart”. He was an extremely talented, self taught, home re-modeler and repair man. Always working on one project of another, his attention to detail always shone through.
John is survived by his soulmate, Karin, his fur babies, Vladimir, Sonja, Tasha, and Buddy. Step-son John Marino and his family; a brother-in-law, Bill and his family, and a sister-in-law Cynthia and her family. Also survived by a large “family of the heart”; many good friends; and his mother.
John will be cremated and burial will be in the Salisbury National Cemetery at a later date due to the restrictions of the Corona virus pandemic.
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury and Charlotte is assisting the Rock family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Shon and Mike Gronvold says
Sorry sorry for your loss, Karin. And I’m very blessed we got to visit you both last October. Mike and I send lots of love and hugs. He was a patriot and a good friend to us. We hope to see you soon. May John rest in peace now that his earthly suffering is over.
David Mesham says
So sorry for your loss I thank him for his service to us all and hope you are ok and take solace in knowing that he is resting in a better place and that we all will see him soon
Janice says
So so sorry for your loss Karin.. please know I am thinking about you????
Phyllis Russell says
Karen I am so sorry for your loss I’ve been praying for both of y’all but will continue praying for God to help you through this
Ellen Mesham Gould says
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a good man.
Sharon Kiey says
Beautiful obituary Karin. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gloria Jorel says
I am so sorry for your loss. I know he is at peace In heaven after his courageous battle.????????
Knoxville says
This saddens me tremendously. John was a good friend.