Douglas Eugene Rockstead Sr Memorial Contributions
Donation protected
Knowing that dad was living off of social security and only had medicare coverage, some of you have graciously volunteered to help contribute. We plan to apply contributions to his remaining hospital, doctor and nursing home expenses. If there is a little extra, then we will apply it to a memorial for both our mom and dad where they will be buried on the 2 acres that they loved.
Douglas Eugene Rockstead, beloved father, grandfather and uncle, went to his eternal rest on Saturday, May 9, 2020. He was born on September 1, 1939, the very first day of World War II to Cecilia and Anton Rockstead in Janesville Wisconsin.
Douglas had a love of warm weather and trains which led him to south Texas after graduating high school. It was on a cheap weekend train trip to Tampico, Mexico, that he met his future wife, Santa. He worked as a fireman for the Southern Pacific Railroad before joining TriPak as a draftsman and eventually rose to the role of chief engineer. He designed, installed, and troubleshot vegetable packing machinery around the world including California, Florida, Mexico, Nicaragua, and China. He was always learning and taught himself multiple languages (Spanish, French, some Chinese), and computer programming.
He and his wife, Santa, started a small business, Rockstead Precast Concrete to make and sell picnic tables, parking blocks, statuary, etc. You can still spot some of his work scattered around the valley. He always went through the extra step of cementing the benches and tables together to make sure they were solid and safe.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Santa, his parents, Cecilia and Anton Rockstead, his sister, Sally Gavney, his brothers, Edward and Roger Rockstead, and his nephew, Michael Dampier. He is survived by his children: Azucena (Randy) Overman, Douglas (Maria) Rockstead, Cecilia (Brian) Papke and Ronald Rockstead. He will also be missed by his grandchildren: Douglas III, Marcus, Isabella and Alonzo Rockstead. He is also survived by two sisters: Susan (Charlie) Mink and Alanna Wilgus as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A service is being planned in July when churches start opening back up and it's easier to travel. It will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1015 E. Van Buren in Harlingen, Texas.
We also want to recognize and thank our youngest brother, Ronald Rockstead, who went without a regular income to take care of our father during his last remaining years.
Douglas Eugene Rockstead, beloved father, grandfather and uncle, went to his eternal rest on Saturday, May 9, 2020. He was born on September 1, 1939, the very first day of World War II to Cecilia and Anton Rockstead in Janesville Wisconsin.
Douglas had a love of warm weather and trains which led him to south Texas after graduating high school. It was on a cheap weekend train trip to Tampico, Mexico, that he met his future wife, Santa. He worked as a fireman for the Southern Pacific Railroad before joining TriPak as a draftsman and eventually rose to the role of chief engineer. He designed, installed, and troubleshot vegetable packing machinery around the world including California, Florida, Mexico, Nicaragua, and China. He was always learning and taught himself multiple languages (Spanish, French, some Chinese), and computer programming.
He and his wife, Santa, started a small business, Rockstead Precast Concrete to make and sell picnic tables, parking blocks, statuary, etc. You can still spot some of his work scattered around the valley. He always went through the extra step of cementing the benches and tables together to make sure they were solid and safe.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Santa, his parents, Cecilia and Anton Rockstead, his sister, Sally Gavney, his brothers, Edward and Roger Rockstead, and his nephew, Michael Dampier. He is survived by his children: Azucena (Randy) Overman, Douglas (Maria) Rockstead, Cecilia (Brian) Papke and Ronald Rockstead. He will also be missed by his grandchildren: Douglas III, Marcus, Isabella and Alonzo Rockstead. He is also survived by two sisters: Susan (Charlie) Mink and Alanna Wilgus as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A service is being planned in July when churches start opening back up and it's easier to travel. It will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1015 E. Van Buren in Harlingen, Texas.
We also want to recognize and thank our youngest brother, Ronald Rockstead, who went without a regular income to take care of our father during his last remaining years.
Organizer
Azucena Overman
Organizer
Round Rock, TX