Lt. Col. Retired Michael Kenneth LaRock Sr.

LaROCK, Michael Kenneth Sr., Lt. Colonel USAF passed away on January 12, 2013, with his family at his side. He was the youngest of 12 children, born on January 10. 1922 in Isabella, PA, to Frank and Fillipa LaRock. He attended Penn State University and was a graduate of New Hampshire College. At the age of 22, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He retired after 34 years as a pilot, serving in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam with tours in Asia, Italy, Europe and Africa. He flew numerous missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was preceded in death by is son, Michael Jr. and his wife of 58 years, Alberta Sue of Avalon, PA. Together they traveled the world enjoying the military life while raising four boys and making life-long friends. After retiring from the military in 1975, he started a second career with the American Red Cross retiring in 1999. He loved dancing, bowling traveling and was a keen card player. He practiced the power of positive thinking, good will, hard work, fairness and persistence his entire life. He was a gentleman's gentleman, with a wonderful smile that attracted many. He is survived by his current wife, Racine; his three sons, Patrick (Shawn), Timothy (Janice) and Daniel (Sarah); grandchildren, Michael III, Heather Rene, Jamie, Leah, Christopher, Danielle, Jared; and step granddaughter, Ashley Ryan Teague . Friends and relatives are invited to join his family at the Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home in Clearwater on January 19th, at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice or ALS/ MS Foundation. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home/Clearwater, FL 33759 Flowers, Gifts and On Line Tribute. Sylvanabbey.com