Wesley Royal Rock

Wesley Royal Rock, loving father, son, and brother, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 15th, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, where he called home. He was 44. From his birth in Provo, UT, on August 28th, 1979, Wesley was very innovative, passionate about learning, and relentlessly pursued his goals in life. He was one of the first students, alongside Brian Schilling, to build the innovative website and computer clubs at Denfeld High School. After high school, he was accepted and received a full scholarship to Ivy League school Princeton University in 1997. During his freshman year he launched his very first campaign on Google Ads (AdWords). During his studies at Princeton, he attended an LDS mission to São Paulo, Brazil (1999-2001), where he became fluent in Portuguese. He graduated from Princeton in 2004 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in the Portuguese language. 

He pursued a timeline of accomplishments thereafter: a prolific writer with numerous works, an avid reader who enjoyed the classics, played the classics on string bass, a marathon runner, deeply engaged in politics with strong convictions, and he went on to build many successful online businesses—he always said that Google had the best parties. He esteemed his work as Digital Marketer Director for the last two decades. Wes was inspired by all the friendships he made and kept in his lifetime, he held a sense of humor that we’ll always remember, but most importantly, he became a devoted and passionate loving father to his extraordinary children, Elena and James. He will be remembered for his dedication, passion, and love for his family and causes. He left a lasting impact on his community and everyone who knew him. 

He is survived by his children, Elena and James Rock (Kara); parents, Suzie Rock and Vincent Rock; brothers, Freeman and Jordan Rock; sisters, Valeria Rock and Lorraine Devora (Sergio); grandparent, Valeria Meneely; maternal aunt and uncle, Betty Namoki and Donald Crank; paternal aunts and uncle, Nina Martin, Valerie Stephens, Cheryl Johnson, Vern Johnson, and Kimberly Stuart; special friends, The Lamonts, Jedidiah Dodds, and many others. He is preceded in death by Laverne Johnson, Jerome Meneely, Bonnie Johnson, Boyd Crank, Anna Hulligan, and brother Spencer Kowad Rock.

 Service (open to all). Saturday, June 8th, 2024, at the LDS Church in Duluth, MN (521 Upham Rd, Duluth, MN 55811) Visitation 10am-11am, Funeral Service 11am followed by graveside service at Oneota Cemetery, Refreshments served after graveside service at the LDS Church. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.  600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805.  218-727-3555.