Roy Lee Brock, Jr.

ROY L. BROCK
February 6, 1930 - July 22, 2016
Roy Lee Brock, Jr., 86, of Cairo, Georgia, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2016 at Magnolia Place in Cairo, Georgia.
Roy was born on February 6, 1930 in Hot Springs, South Dakota to Roy and Mary Jane (Ray) Brock. He lived in Emmett, Idaho until he entered the U.S. Navy in 1945 as an “under-age en-listment,” thanks to an Idaho Judge who helped set Roy on a life-changing path by giving him the option of the Navy or jail due to an incident involving stolen mink coats and a gang of ram-bunctious friends. From San Diego, California, Roy toured Hawaii, Shanghai, Hong Kong and other Asian destinations. He was a Seaman First Class on the Tank Landing Ships USS LSTs 703, 612, 1026, 845 & 993 and earned an American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal.
After his Naval service ended in 1947, Roy received his GED, and attended Northwest Bible College from 1948-49, Seattle Pacific College from 1949-50, and University of Wyoming-Laramie in 1951. An avid skier, Roy made his way to the slopes of Colorado and graduated from Colorado State College of Education in Greeley (now University of Northern Colorado) in 1952 with a B.A. in Elementary Education, and in 1953 with an M.A. in Elementary Supervision. He married classmate Ruth L. Cruse in 1953. Roy taught elementary school for many years in Sunnyvale, Menlo Park and South Lake Tahoe, California. In Tahoe, he also worked at Harrah’s Casino at night during the school year so that he could take his family and their German Shep-herd, Beau, camping throughout the Western U.S., Canada, and the Northwest Territories every summer. The fishing was so good that his children, Laura and Caleb, grew up thinking that every time they threw in a line, they could reel in a fish from any lake or stream.
In 1967, Roy, Ruth, Laura and Caleb, sold everything, packed up and headed out on the carnival route, working at fairs across America. Roy expanded his business and owned a variety of carni-val amusement rides, joints and concessions, including photo machines, The Bavarian Slide, cream taffy concession, Dark Ride, Glass House, Winky the Whale, Space Walk, World’s Smallest Horses, Killer Rats from China, The Turn Pike, and others. In those early carnival years, he taught his children, Laura and Caleb, how to work hard, handle tools, paint rides, short-change inebriated ticket purchasers, re-hash tickets, handle unexpected equipment breakdowns, enjoy reading, always keep a sense of humor, stand up in a fight, and never engage in self-pity.
Roy retired from the carnival business in the mid-1990s. In retirement, Roy loved spending time with Jo Davis, his soulmate, spiritual companion, and special love. They traveled together to dis-tant places, going on ski trips, hiking together, sharpening each other’s minds, reading great books, caring for each other in sicknesses, and working crossword puzzles together.
Roy also enjoyed breakfast at the Pickle Patch, Wednesday night gatherings, spending time in North Carolina, drinking Hardee’s strawberry shakes, watching CNBC, smoking his pipe, down-ing Slivovitz, soaking in the hot tub, and drinking a glass of fine red wine. He was a Master at woodworking and produced many beautiful pieces of furniture, lamps, tables, birdfeeders, pic-ture frames, stethoscope holders, and other creative pieces that adorn the houses and walls of his friends and family.
Roy was blessed to have so many heartfelt and deep friendships in Cairo. He met with four spe-cial friends and their dogs on Wednesday and Sunday nights for “Church Service.” Roy loved the lively discussions, their kindred spirits and felt “sharpened” by those memorable times. He also enjoyed going to the Pickle Patch Restaurant every morning and sitting with his friends dis-cussing politics, social justice, public corruption and other important matters. Roy held a lifelong childlike insatiable curiosity and was always seeking new understanding of science, history, lit-erature and human nature. He was a great teacher, listener and storyteller. Roy leaves a lasting and eternal impression on the hearts of all who knew him through his words of wisdom, his unique perspective, and his passion for life. He cared deeply about the people in his life. Roy maintained a good friendship with his former wife Evelyn, as well as her son Bruce, and her granddaughter Victoria, who continue in carnival ownership and leadership. He was grateful for their presence and love.
Roy is survived by his daughter, Laura Brock of Tallahassee, Florida, and his soulmate, Jo Davis of Havana, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Sr. and Mary Jane; his half-brothers, Jerry Metcalf, Charles Carter, and William Carter; his beloved Doberman, Brownie in 2014; and his son, Caleb in 2015.
Roy’s family is grateful for the staff at Magnolia Place who took great care of him and particu-larly his special caregiver, Shirley Holsey. They also thank Bethany Hospice for helpful, caring services, especially by Jane Toles, R.N.
In accordance with Roy’s wishes, there will be no memorial service, but everyone who remem-bers him is asked to celebrate his life in their own way. Raising a glass of their favorite drink in his memory would be quite appropriate. Instead of flowers or donations, Roy would hope that you would perform an act of kindness for someone in his honor, or give to a cause of your choice.