Thomas (Rock) Clyde Rockriver passed away from a sudden illness on August 4th, 2020.
He is survived by four children: Shane, Crystal, Ryan, and Mimi, seven grandchildren, brothers John and Pat, and his sweetheart of over 20 years, Mary Earls.
He was born October 17, 1948, in Los Angeles, California, to Clyde and Frances Rockriver, the oldest of five brothers. Rock served in the Marine Corps earning the National Defense Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and the rank of Corporal. While in the Marines, he was a computer programmer for the early models of computers in Quantico, Virginia. He gleefully obtained an honorable discharge four years later.
After a very brief stint as a computer programmer at IBM, he decided that programming was not for him and he would much rather be outside working with his hands. He ventured on to become a union pipe-fitter, steam-fitter, and a master welder; of which, he was introduced to as a child by his father, Clyde. He was known as the best industrial, architectural, and repair welder in the Chapel Hill area. He had an additional genius in the creative use of pulleys to move extremely heavy objects single-handedly.
Living on the Ken Strowd dairy farm, he was dedicated to their dairy while it was in operation for many years. Beloved by all who knew him for his generosity, gentle nature, intelligence, and Irish humor, Rock told riveting and ironic stories of his extensive, and sometimes dangerous, work experiences.
Rock loved his children and grandchildren probably more than they will ever know. There was almost nothing that he would not do for his family. Rock believed in peace, harmony, and treating everyone with dignity, respect, and kindness. He would happily give you his last dollar or the shirt off his back if you needed it. Rock lived a full and diverse life, and he will be missed by all who had the great fortune to have known him.
