Norman Rock Jr.

1952 - 2025

Norman Joseph (Joey) Rock Jr, 73, of Missoula passed away on July 7, 2025 at home. He was born in Missoula, Montana, to Norman Joseph Rock Sr. and Jean Westgard Rock. Joey attended and graduated from Sentinel High School in 1970. He was preceded in death by his parents Norman Joseph Rock Sr. and Jean (Westgard) Rock-Tucker. Joey is survived by his son Joe (Chauntelle) Rock III and daughter, Lyndsey (Donnie) DeSilva. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Kassidie and Kale Rock, Madysen and McKinley DeSilva. His surviving siblings include Jerre (Edwin) Lamb of Elko, Nevada, Deanna (Jack) Kirkland of Lolo, Montana, and Susie Gonzalez (Michael McGinley) of Missoula, Montana, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. And don't forget his beloved Squirrels!

Joey grew up in Lolo, Montana near the Bitterroot River. In the 1950s and 60s, Lolo was a small farming community and a paradise for an adventurous outdoor kid. From a young age, he would take his.22 rifle to the river to hunt pheasants and ducks. His Grandpa Rock taught him to fish. Joey's Grandpa Rock called him "Pebbles", his dad called him "Little Joe from Kokomo", and to his sisters, he was always Joey.

Summers were spent working for his dad on the farm and 4H, and winters involved helping at the dairy. Despite his busy schedule, Joey still found the time to pitch in a baseball league and wrestle in high school.

He scrimped and saved to buy a red jeep. With his buddies and a Plott hound named Gyp, they hunted bobcats and mountain lions. His favorite hound was Gyp's pup, Sugar. He lost her several times while hunting, but she always managed to show up on a coat he left behind. There was one time, however, when Sugar did not show up. After quite some time, Sugar found her way back home from the mountains, and Joey guessed she had followed the Bitterroot River. His passion for hunting and the love of his dogs was unparalleled.

Right after graduating from Sentinel high school in Missoula, Joey started his logging career, which demonstrated his resilience – he was known for having "nine lives". He often said, "The best tree in the world is a stump, and every tree is a potential stump". While sawing, he referred to all trees as "pickles".

Fishing was another passion that he had. He spent many a day on a boat on a lake or wandering the river banks finding the perfect fishing hole.

In 1975, Joey welcomed his son, Norman Josesh (Joe) Rock III, into the world. A few years later, he welcomed his daughter, Lyndsey Kristine Rock. He spent many years teaching his children the joys of hunting, fishing, camping and he gave them both their love for the great outdoors.

Joey never met a stranger; he made friends wherever he went. With such an adventurous life, he had countless tales to share and would spend hours with family and friends – both new and old – reminiscing about those memories. Whether he was building roads, logging, hunting, or fishing, his favorite place was always in the woods.

A celebration of life with be held at a later date. Condolences can be sent via email to lyndseydesilva@gmail.com.