Dr. Craig Steven Rock

Craig Steven Rock passed away peacefully on October 14, 2023, following a tough battle with pancreatic cancer.
From the day Craig was born, his parents, Earl and Jeanette Rock, knew he was special. His warm smile and gentle loving nature were obvious from the start. They knew he would go far and develop many deep friendships.
Craig's baseball-loving father put a ball glove on his tiny hand by the age of two and a lifelong love of the game was born. It was soon obvious that Craig was a gifted athlete. He participated in many sports during his days at Lake City High School and he would also excel at the game of golf. Craig would carry a passion for baseball and golf throughout his entire life.
Craig was a proud graduate of the University of Iowa. He was an ardent supporter of his beloved Hawkeyes until his final days.
It was during his time at the University of Iowa, as a pledge to the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, that he met his fraternity brother, Steve Swaney, with whom he developed a friendship that would sustain Craig for the rest of his life. Craig found the brother he needed to rescue him from his two sisters. The two shared a love of travel and baseball and had a mission to visit every ballpark in the country. Following the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees across the country brought them very close to achieving their goal.
The salty air and the love of Jimmy Buffett drew Craig to the sea. He was very happy with his chair in the sand and his toes in the water. There are many beautiful memories of traveling to the islands with amazing friends.
It was Craig's love of people and his desire to care for others that led him to a long, rewarding career as an Optometrist. He moved to Lake City after his graduation from Southern College of Optometry to join his father's practice, eventually taking over the practice after his father's retirement. He practiced for 30+ years.
His strong belief in civic responsibility was evident by his lifetime membership and board seats at the Lake City Country Club, many years as a Council Member for Lake City, serving on the Board of Opportunity Living, and as an active member of the Iowa Optometric Association, serving as their president in 2014-2015.
Craig was preceded in death by his father, Earl Rock, and the beloved Jimmy Buffet. He is survived by his mother, Jeanette Rock, sisters Carla (Kevin) Alcox and Caryn (Colin) King, nephews Benjamin Alcox and Cyle (Jona) King, and niece Cayla King.
In keeping with Craig's deep love for his community, the family requests any memorials be directed to Chicks With Checks, a philanthropic group of women of all ages raising money for those in need in their community, or to your favorite local charity. Memorials can be sent to the United Bank of Iowa in Lake City or to the family.
Thank you all for being a part of Craig's journey here on Earth. The next time you swing a club, have your toes in the sand, or the Yankees hit a home run, know he is sharing that moment with you, and he loved you all.