Rockford "Rocky" Glenn Yapp Jr.

Rockford “Rocky” Glenn Yapp, Jr. passed away on the 13th of December 2011. He was born in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1932. Rocky is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon; siblings, George and Joanne; his son, Rockford, III and his wife, Janet; his son, David and his wife, Lois; and daughter, Carolyn; as well as his grandchildren, Rockford IV, Joan, David, Ryan, Virginia, Emily and Nicholas.

After being selected an “All State Athlete” during high school, Rocky received several football scholarship offers, but opted to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln (UNL) on a full naval scholarship. While attending UNL, Rocky served as student body president, Member of the Innocent Society, and President of the UNL Charity Foundation. He also met his wife, Sharon, his junior year at UNL. He served three years as an officer in U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

He was employed by Shell Chemical Company for 32 years, becoming President of Western Farm Services, Director of one of the Industrial Chemical Division, and his final assignment was Director of Corporate Accounts of Shell Chemical. He enjoyed working for Shell and many of the people he worked with become life-long friends. He donated his time to the Rotary Club and was Chairman of the 25th Annual Lombardi Awards Ceremony.

A passionate golfer, Rocky was a long-time member of Pine Valley Golf Club as well as Houston’s Lakeside Country Club, where he served on their board of directors. A frequent traveler, Rocky took pleasure in exploring the world with his wife, family and friends. He was a passionate wine collector, introducing many of his friends and family members to the wonderful world of wines.

Rocky was a devoted grandfather, who enjoyed arranging vacations and holiday time with them and being an important part of their lives. He was a loving father to his three children, providing instrumental guidance and support during many of the challenging and critical times of their lives that has created the foundation for the success they have today. As a husband, Rocky was a wonderful life partner and shared with Sharon a rich, full, and exciting life.

His wisdom, love, kindness, and generous spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 29th of December, in the chapel of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive in Houston, where Rev. Kristin Huffman, Associate Pastor for Outreach, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Parlor.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in honor of Rocky may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, 2400 Augusta Dr., Suite 175, Houston, TX, 77057; or to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD, 20852.