Dr. Earl Henry Rock

Earl Henry Rock, 83, passed away peacefully the evening of May 16th at Shady Oaks Care Center in Lake City, Iowa.

Earl, son of Henry and Rosella, was born on June 15, 1939, at their home in Pierson, Iowa. He graduated from Pierson High School in 1957. During high school he met his forever love, Jeanette Hansen. They were married on June 22, 1959, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Correctionville, Iowa. They settled in Pierson where Earl worked as a John Deere parts man and Jeanette had her own beauty shop. They were blessed with two children, Craig Steven (1960) and Carla Sue (1963).

The family moved to Memphis TN where Earl attended the Southern College of Optometry. After graduating in 1968 they moved to Lake City, Iowa and Earl purchased an optometry practice from Dr. Charles Fulkerson. He practiced optometry for over 30 years. In 1970, Earl and Jeanette welcomed their third child, Caryn Louisa.

Sports were a very prominent part of Earl's life. As a young man he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and the New York Giants. His love of sports trickled down through his children and grandchildren and he enjoyed many games of catch in the backyard. His children and grandchildren will remember him as their favorite fan. He and Jeanette were avid Iowa Hawkeye fans, attending Iowa football games for over 20 years. The actual trips to Kinnick ended but you would still find him and Nettie tailgating every Saturday from their living room. He was an avid golfer, playing in men's and couples league for many years. He loved to fish. Summer often found him by the lakeside with his fishing pole in his hand and his family by his side.

Earl was very active in his community.  He served on the Lake City Council for many years. He also was president of the board at Stewart Memorial Hospital and served on the board of the Lake City Country Club.

Earl and Jeanette loved to travel. They have many memories of trips with friends and family. They also enjoyed over 25 years of wintering in Florida.

He will always be remembered with an Iowa ballcap on his head and a smile on his face.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 64 years 10 months and 23 days, Jeanette, son, Craig of Lake City, daughter and son in law, Carla and Kevin Alcox of Ridgway, CO, and daughter and son in law, Caryn and Colin King of Lake City. Grandchildren include Benjamin Alcox of Denver, CO, Cyle King (Jona) of Minneapolis, MN, and Cayla King of Iowa City, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Rosella, and a sister, Ellen.