Funeral Service for Robert Rockman, 82 of Poteau, Oklahoma will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Faith Community Church in Wister, Oklahoma with Chip Hinds, Chad Loper officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
Robert was born on May 30, 1941 in Heavener, Oklahoma to Demarious (Dalton) Rockman and Monte Rockman and passed away on May 30, 2023 in Barling, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Rockman; daughter Sabrina Ralls; parents; and sister, Doris Huff. Robert was born and raised in Heavener, Oklahoma. He was a graduate of Heavener High School Class of 1959 Rocky graduated from Central State University with a Bachelors Degree in Mortuary Science. He retired as a Health Inspector for the Oklahoma State Health Dept. Rocky and Faye raised their daughters in Heavener. Rocky was an active member of both the Lions Club and the Jaycees. He also was a member of the Heavener School Board (After we graduated and could not benefit from that…. Bummer).
Rocky was a member of the Methodist Church but he attended and was an active part of the Church of God 7th Day in both Wister and Ft Smith where he led the music for years. Rocky played football in high school… and was a lifelong Oklahoma Sooner Football Fan. He attended many games in Norman through the years along with what has always been known as the OU Crew, made up of a group of friends from Heavener that would work the parking before and after games.
As much as Rocky loved football and has passed the love and knowledge of football on to his grandsons, one who even eventually became a football coach, music is always what spoke to him. His dad and uncles had a quartet that performed for radio the Rockman Brothers….that’s where his love of music began. Rocky taught himself to play the piano by ear and in the early 60’s formed a couple of bands that played and sang for dances in the area. He played both piano and drums.
When his daughters Shannon and Sabrina were very young he and his wife Faye began taking them to the Albert E Brumley All Night Gospel Singing in Springdale, AR. They went every year staying up all night hearing music from groups like The Blackwood Brothers, the Imperials, The Gaithers, JD Sumner and the Stamps, the Happy Goodwins, The Oakridge Boys and many other Southern Gospel Groups.
When Rocky realized his daughters could sing harmony he formed a trio with them. Many friends jokingly called them Rocky and the Rockettes. They sang at churches, for civic groups, weddings, and funerals.
During that time Rocky also became a member of the Riverblenders Barbershop Chapter in Ft Smith, AR. Rocky was a member of several Barbershop Quartets for many years and even formed a Quartets called “One More Song”.
Rocky eventually auditioned for and became a member of the Cavanal Chorale of Poteau in his last years continuing to sing as much as he could.
Rocky seized any opportunity to share his gift of singing with others, even singing recently to the staff while in the hospital.
Rocky encouraged others who had a gift of music. He passed that gift on to his daughters, his grandchildren who all sing or play an instrument (one who has a career in music). He was also encouraging his great granddaughters to do the same.
Rocky never made a career from music but he shared his gift. He knew and all who loved him know that someday we will all sing together again.
This isn’t the end…. there will be “one more song”.
Survivors include his daughter, Shannon and Darren Burgess; son-in-law, Jerry Ralls; grandchildren, Ashley McAlister and husband Will, Tyler Ralls and wife Kelsey, Seth Burgess and wife Katie, Emily Perterson and husband Kendall; five great grandchildren, Emma Burgess, Adeline McAlister, Benjamin Peterson, Parker Burgess, and Dakota Faye Peterson; sister, Charlotte Woolbright and husband Carna.
Pallbearers will be Darren Burgess, Jerry Ralls, Tyler Ralls, Seth Burgess, Will McAlister, and Chris Woolbright.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bo Shupert, Robert Swinford, Hal Dowden, and Bill Thompson.
Visitation will be Friday, June 2, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.