Rocky Harrelson

Captain Rocky Harrelson, age 74, departed this life on Monday, March 2, 2020, in Orlando, Florida and moved to his heavenly home. Survivors include his wife and loving companion of 52 years, Jessie Carter Harrelson of Geneva, FL; his sons Stephen Harrelson of Geneva, FL and Bradley Harrelson of Geneva, FL.; Granddaughters Stephanie Harrelson of Dallas, TX, Zephyr Linninger of Winter Park, FL and Bricelyn Harrelson of Edgewater, FL; Grandson Kyle Harrelson of Port Orange, FL; Great Grandson Greyson Harrelson of Dallas, TX and his brother Johnnie Keith Harrelson of Jupiter, FL, and nieces Shelley West of Jupiter, FL and Le Anne Harrelson of Denver, CO.

He is preceded in death by his first grandson, Stephen Harrelson II.

Captain Harrelson was born in Mullins, South Carolina, on November 6, 1945, to the late Thomas Lavern Harrelson and Sadie Belle Shelley Harrelson Bell, as his father was serving in the Pacific in WWII. His name was appropriately drawn from his father’s nickname, Rock

Rocky graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia with a degree in Engineering in 1968 and a Masters in Engineering also from the University of SC in 1976. After college, Rocky served with the US Air Force as a combat fighter pilot in Vietnam, flying over 200 missions. During his service in the Air Force, Rocky earned many honors including the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal; AF Outstanding Unit Award with V Device; the Distinguished Flying Cross with Device and the Air Medal with Nine Devices. He received the honor of Order of the Able Aeronautic for outstanding feat of airmanship during in-flight emergency.

Returning to the US, he became a reconnaissance instructor pilot at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina and trained young pilots in F-4 RECCE flying. Rocky decided to try the corporate world and worked for three years for Westinghouse Corporation in Orlando (Siemens Power Corporation), where he joined the 138th Aviation Company (EW) US Army Reserve, in Orlando, Florida, flying for the Army reserves. After retiring from the Air Force, Rocky served as a Program Manager at Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division for 22 years.

He was a member of the Baptist Church. A visitation with family members and friends will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 14th at the First Baptist Church in Geneva, FL (325 First Street, Geneva, FL 32732). The service will begin at 2:00pm with cemetery to follow. All are invited to the reception back at the church. In lieu of flowers, you may choose to support https;//tunnel2towers.org or https;//gideons.org

His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone he interacted with. His vibrant personality contributed to the community of Geneva, FL. In many ways-including acting as president of the Rural Heritage Center in Geneva, FL., volunteering as a Meals on Wheels delivery driver for the community and serving on the board for the annual 4th of July parade.

Rocky truly lived to the fullest through simple pleasures, fellowship with friends, pig-roast or oyster roast parties, flying his Cessna or driving his TD around town. He also enjoyed riding his horse with his fellow horsemen/women companions. He could frequently be found spending time with his airplane partner, Dan or gathering with the Wednesday Chili group or anything else to try to avoid his Honey-do list waiting for him at home. His life was a living example of the Bible verse, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ”. Ephesians 4:32

Rocky Harrelson will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.