Paul E. Rockhold

Paul E. Rockhold



Paul E. Rockhold was born October 12, 1935, in Columbus, Ohio, to Earl S. Rockhold and Bonadine E. Dray. He received orders to report to Heaven on July 4, 2025. In Columbus, Paul attended Crestview Junior High and graduated from North High School, where he remained a member of the Polar Bear Club. He was a member of BSA Troop 28 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1951.

After graduation, Paul enlisted in the USMC and served from 1954 to 1956, followed by several years in the reserve. His primary MOS was 2511/Wireman, but he was most proud of serving as a Forward Observer with Charlie Battery, 1st Bn, 10th Marines.

Paul married Sarah Jane Shaeffer on January 12, 1957. From that union, two sons were born, Greg and John. He and his wife, Sarah, traveled the entire state of New Mexico to cheer on their sons, who participated in sports at Belen High School.

Paul was a Benefactor Member of the National Rifle Association. He and Sarah became the New Mexico Coordinators of the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program. During a ten-year run, they conveyed the simple four-point gun safety message, "Stop, Don't Touch, Leave the Area, and Tell an Adult," to nearly 300,000 elementary school children in the state. Paul and Sarah were instrumental in seeing concealed carry passed in New Mexico and were staunch defenders of the Second Amendment.

Paul began college at Ohio State University and completed an associate's degree at UNM-Valencia Branch.

He and Sarah enjoyed panning for gold on a claim in Arizona. The gold is still in Arizona. The family believes the only ones panning for gold were the landowners.

He retired as a salesman and small business owner, and if you ever encountered him, he

would talk till you needed your next haircut.

Paul was a consummate patriot - he loved his country, the Marine Corps, the Boy Scouts,

the Ohio State Buckeyes, brownies, ice cream, and would willingly engage in political debate.

In handwritten notes, one will find his testament of receiving Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In those same notes, a letter of love and devotion to his "first love," his wife Sarah.

Paul and Sarah were married for 46 years, and she passed away on July 25, 2003, preceding him in death. He is survived by his sons, Greg (Debbie) of Nolensville, TN,

and John (Judy) of Albuquerque, NM. A sister, Judy Rockhold Davis (Tom) of Columbus, Ohio. Grandchildren, Tiffany (Oceanside, California), Jenn (Kevin Miller), St. Petersburg, Florida, Jordan (Scarlett), LaVergne, TN, Zachary (April) of Albuquerque, NM, and Trevor of Albuquerque, NM. Great-great-grandchildren: Emery, Adalyn, and Haddon Miller of St. Petersburg, FL; London and Jack Rockhold of La Vergne, TN; and a baby boy due in December 2025 in Albuquerque, NM.

A memorial service will be held at Monterey Baptist Church, 12501 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, on August 16, 2025, AT 11:00A.M. Dr. Bill Achilles (Pastor) will be officiating.

Just a few years ago, Paul became a volunteer with the New Mexico Baptist Disaster Relief and went to lowa during an extreme flood. He thoroughly enjoyed serving, and in place of flowers, donations are suggested to be sent to NMBDR, 5325 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. 505-924-2315 nmbdrbcnm.org

Another Marine is guarding the streets of heaven. Semper Fi, Dad.