John H. ROCK III

WILLIAMSBURG - John H. Rock III, a longtime Peninsula resident who was a civil engineer at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station after serving in Europe and the Pacific during World War II, died at his Williamsburg home on April 26, 2010. He was 100.
A native of Fairmont, W.Va., Rock worked in the coal mines after high school and then attended Lehigh College and West Virginia University. During the Depression, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and eventually got a job with the West Virginia Department of Highways. Before World War II, he worked for VA Engineering preparing the Naval Mine Depot, Yorktown, for the coming war. When war broke out, he joined the Army Corps of Engineers and landed at Normandy on the second day. He transferred to the Philippines to serve in the Pacific theater after Germany surrendered. His decorations include the European Theater ribbon with four bronze Service Stars and the Asiatic Pacific ribbon.
After the war, he worked at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station for 27 years, until he retired in 1974. He devoted the rest of his life to enjoying time with his wife and extended family. He enjoyed playing football, golf and singing as a young man. Later in life, he loved square dancing and collected big band, swing and jazz music. He designed his home in Williamsburg, where he lived for 56 years and drove a car until he was well into his 90s.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Kate.
He is survived by his son, John H. Rock IV and his wife, Tonia D. Rock of Williamsburg; and five grandchildren, John C. Rock of California, Laura Rock, Jacki Rock, James H. Rock, and Sara Rock, all of Williamsburg. He also has an extended family in the Atlanta, Ga., area.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements by Nelsen Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.