FRANCIS ROY ROCK

Francis (Frank) Roy Rock, 87, of Palmdale, California, previously of Pittsburg, Kansas,

passed into the arms of our Lord on March 21, 2026, surrounded by family members

and compassionate caregivers at the Forever Love Home Care, Inc., in Lancaster,

California.

Roy was born on May 17, 1938, in Baltimore, Maryland, to John Edward Roch Sr and

Catherine Elizabeth Kelly. As a child, he lived in Essex, MD, near the Back River, where

he would go crabbing with his friends, sharing the spoils with nearby neighbors and

family. Roy joined the Air Force at the young age of 17, retiring after serving his country

for 23 1/2 years. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant, filling positions from

firefighter to Deputy Fire Chief during his military career. Assignments took him to

Kansas, Greenland, Texas, Okinawa, Washington DC, Vietnam, Missouri, Germany, and

New Mexico. He received numerous medals during his military career. Among these is

the Bronze Star awarded for his response to an aircraft crash involving live munitions at

Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam. Several of his fellow firefighters were killed or injured. He

never forgot this tragedy and loss of his firefighter brothers who gave the greatest

sacrifice that day. As a result, he took every opportunity to remember them at the

Vietnam Wall or traveling replica.

Upon returning from Germany, he was assigned to Cannon AFB, where the firefighter

assigned to show him around introduced him as "Frank". Roy didn't want to embarrass

him, so he chose not to say anything.

After retiring from his last military assignment as Deputy Fire Chief at Cannon Air Force

Base, New Mexico, he traveled to California, joining his old friend, Willie Bell, at

Edwards Air Force Base. Roy served Edwards as a civilian Assistant Fire Chief for the

next 15 years.

Roy was a devout Catholic and a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion.

Roy enjoyed fishing and hunting, and often kept his family fed in leaner times through

these hobbies. He also enjoyed bowling, cards, and dominoes. He loved the laughs of

friends and family when he sang songs such as The Tattooed Lady, Roberta Roberta,

Fever, There Is Nothing Like a Dame, and I Can't Give You Anything but Love. He was

known to have sung both male and female roles of the song, Figaro wearing a "cute"

wig or hat, depending on the part, signing off with a Looney Tunes copy of "That's all,

Folks!" He loved making his audiences laugh. And who among firefighters at Edwards

could forget being awakened in the morning to I'm Too Sexy for My Shirt.

Roy and his "Beautiful Bride," Alberta Louise Tippie, were married May 16, 1959, at

Forbes Air Force Base Chapel, Topeka, Kansas.

Roy is survived by his wife, Alberta, and their children, Rhonda Rock, Earnest (Kristine)

Rock, Elizabeth (Ray) Sadler, Wendy (Michael) Jackson, and David (Jennifer) Rock,

grandchildren, Elyssa (Stephen) Winters, Michael (Melissa) Jackson Jr, Kayla Rock,

Jeremy (Bekah) Rock, Ashlynn Rock, Vanessa (Patrick) Burch, Anthony Andrade,

Eliana Andrade. great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Robyn, Finn, Miles, Haven, Ashton,

Amelia, siblings: Charles Rock, Margaret Rock. Also survived by many nieces and

nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents and siblings, John (Nancy) Rock Jr, Bernard Rock,

Catherine (Harry) Neenan, Robert (Dorothy) Rock, Dorothy Rock, and William Rock.

Granddaughter, Amanda Jackson, and predeceased by other nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Forever Love Home Care, Inc., Anthem Hospice, Golden

Road Hospice, Kathleen Samano, and Lynda Mills for providing loving care for Roy

during his final days. We are also grateful for visits, calls, and prayers from our friends

and family.

Viewing will be held on April 21, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed immediately

by the Rosary at:

Halley Olsen Murphy Funerals & Cremations

44831 Cedar Ave

Lancaster, CA 93534

Phone: 661.943.9314

Catholic Mass will be provided on April 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM at:

St. Junipero Serra Parish

42121 60th Street West

Lancaster CA 93536

Phone: 661-943-9314

Burial will take place at:

Fort Scott National Cemetery

900 East National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Phone: 913-212-4612

Please join us following Mass for lunch at

Gino's Italian Ristorante

44960 Valley Central Way

Lancaster, CA 93536

Request donations be made to your favorite charity in place of flowers.