1946
John
2015
John Russell Rookard
February 19, 1946 — December 27, 2015
John Rookard has lost the long battle of complications following a Cerebral Hemorrhage in 2012. John was born in Long Beach California on February 19, 1946 to Clyde and Nadine Rookard and ended his earthly journey on December 27, 2015.
John grew up in Needles, California where he graduated from Needles High School in 1963. He attended San Bernardino Valley College for a short time and then went to work for AT&SF as a conductor. He was then drafted into the US Army and was stationed in Vietnam as an Ammunitions Specialist. Upon his discharge he was able to go back to his job as a conductor for Santa Fe Railroad. In February of 1968 he met (and married in March 1968), the love of his life Pamela Frye.
John loved to fish, so much so that almost every vacation revolved around a fishing excursion. After marrying the Needles California Game Wardens daughter he was more aware of the state laws. When John retired he scaled down to a boat that he could launch himself at the Olalla boat launch and went fishing every day catching Salmon (which he shared with his friends and neighbors) and visiting with a group of other local fishermen. After fishing he would have coffee with a group of men at Starbucks in Albertsons in Gig Harbor.
He was a member of DeMolay and became a Mason like his dad in Needles California on October 1978 then transferred to St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 35 in Renton, WA where he is a life member. He also was a member at John Paul Jones Lodge in Gig Harbor WA, the Nile Shriners and Scottish Rite. He attended many Job’s Daughters functions and helped in many ways building whatever was needed.
He is preceded in death by his Father- Clyde Rookard and Mother-Nadine Clous and step Father George Clous, Father-in-law Dave Frye (Peaches) and Daughter Valerie Gust (Robert). He is survived by his wife Pam Rookard, daughter Debra Rookard-Jensen and 5 beautiful grandsons: Thomas Rookard, Gary Gust, Ty Jensen, Johnathan Gust and Bryce Jensen.
Everyone that knew John loved him. He was kind, thoughtful and a genuine nice man with a giving heart. There will be a graveside service at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. On February 20, 2013 there will be a celebration of life in Needles California.
John grew up in Needles, California where he graduated from Needles High School in 1963. He attended San Bernardino Valley College for a short time and then went to work for AT&SF as a conductor. He was then drafted into the US Army and was stationed in Vietnam as an Ammunitions Specialist. Upon his discharge he was able to go back to his job as a conductor for Santa Fe Railroad. In February of 1968 he met (and married in March 1968), the love of his life Pamela Frye.
John loved to fish, so much so that almost every vacation revolved around a fishing excursion. After marrying the Needles California Game Wardens daughter he was more aware of the state laws. When John retired he scaled down to a boat that he could launch himself at the Olalla boat launch and went fishing every day catching Salmon (which he shared with his friends and neighbors) and visiting with a group of other local fishermen. After fishing he would have coffee with a group of men at Starbucks in Albertsons in Gig Harbor.
He was a member of DeMolay and became a Mason like his dad in Needles California on October 1978 then transferred to St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 35 in Renton, WA where he is a life member. He also was a member at John Paul Jones Lodge in Gig Harbor WA, the Nile Shriners and Scottish Rite. He attended many Job’s Daughters functions and helped in many ways building whatever was needed.
He is preceded in death by his Father- Clyde Rookard and Mother-Nadine Clous and step Father George Clous, Father-in-law Dave Frye (Peaches) and Daughter Valerie Gust (Robert). He is survived by his wife Pam Rookard, daughter Debra Rookard-Jensen and 5 beautiful grandsons: Thomas Rookard, Gary Gust, Ty Jensen, Johnathan Gust and Bryce Jensen.
Everyone that knew John loved him. He was kind, thoughtful and a genuine nice man with a giving heart. There will be a graveside service at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. On February 20, 2013 there will be a celebration of life in Needles California.
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