Obituary of Tom Rocker

Mr. James Thomas "Tom" Rocker, 70, of Winter Haven, passed away from lymphoma on July 29, 2012 at Winter Haven Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kay Rocker of Winter Haven, FL and three daughters; Tracey Browning and husband Randy of Raleigh, NC; Samantha Blum and husband Jeffrey of Raleigh, NC; Amy Thompson and husband Wayne of Davenport, FL; 5 granddaughters; Kaycee, Kara, and Kristen Browning of Raleigh, NC; Jillian and Valerie Blum of Raleigh, NC; 4 grandsons; Kyle Browning of Raleigh, NC, Rohan Blum of Raleigh, NC; Joshua and Caleb Thompson of Davenport, FL; two brothers, David Rocker and wife Peggy of Davenport, FL and Joseph Rocker of Davenport, FL; one sister; Vivian Gall and husband Pete of Lake Wales, FL. He was born on March 9, 1942, in Statesboro, GA, and moved with his family to Florida in 1955, settling in Polk County. Tom graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. He received a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL in 1981. He is a veteran of the US Navy and served two tours of duty in Vietnam, completing 7.5 years of active duty, advancing to the rank of Commander. He served in the US Naval Reserves until his retirement. After the war, he returned to Davenport, FL to take the reins of the family business, R - S Insulation, S.A., serving as President and CEO until his retirement. Tom was an organizing member of CenterState Bank of Florida (Davenport, FL) and served on the Board of Directors until his death. Tom was a member and past president of the Haines City Rotary Club, and was honored by his Rotary Club as a "Paul Harris Fellow". He was a Board Director for the Haines City Citrus Growers Association. He was a member of NorthRidge Baptist Church and served as Chairman of the Deacons. He was a Crown Financial Coach. He was a Heart of Florida Education Foundation Board Member. He was Supporter and Advocate of The Way Center Inc. and Way Home. A memorial service will be held at NorthRidge Church,2250 State Road 17s - Haines City, FL - 33844 on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 11am. Visitation begins at 10am at NorthRidge Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to NorthRidge Church, the Florida Baptist Children's Home, and the American Cancer Society.