Aaron "Rocky" Bishop Elmore

Born June 11, 1929 in Johnston County, NC, Rocky moved to the Peninsula after high school to attend the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. His studies were interrupted for two years while he served his country in the Army during the Korean War. He then returned and finished the Apprentice School. He worked in the X-42, Pipe Fitter Dept. as a General Foreman and retired after 40 years, in 1989. He then moved on to the job of “Best Grandpa Ever”.

Rocky was an active member of the Wythe Exchange Club, for over 50 years. He was also a member of The Newport News’ Mariners Club. His church home was Pine Chapel Baptist. He loved his church, attended regularly and served in many different ways there throughout the years. He and Christine enjoyed camping in their motor home, and he continued to travel with his friends in The Good Sam’s Club for as long as he was able. He was a skilled carpenter, building his family’s wonderful home, helping build or adding to his childrens’ homes, and creating things like cradles for the grandaughters’ baby dolls. He could fix anything and we all benefited from those skills as well. His other love was gardening. He always had a large vegetable garden that produced crops he shared with many.

Rocky lived bravely with dementia for over 10 years. Jeff and Duane have taken very good care of him. Michele has traveled endless hours to be with him and her heart has been with him constantly. We have missed our Dad and Grandpa Rock for many years. Now without him here with us, we mourn his loss, but rejoice that he is now whole again and with our Lord, Jesus Christ.

His loving wife Christine has been waiting for him in heaven since 2001. He is survived by his children and their families: Michele, Jim, James Aaron and Christine Steffen of Kingsport, Tenn., Jeff, Jane, Luke and Erin Elmore of Hampton and Duane, Connie, Levi and Moriah Elmore of Poquoson.

We want to thank our family at Eden Court for their loving care of Dad since July, 2009. We felt your love and are so grateful. Also, thank you Heartland Hospice for adding to that care over the last few months and caring for us as well.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association., whose vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. (800)-272-3900, www.alz.org or Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

The family will receive friends from 3:30-5:30 PM, Sunday, Oct. 31 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Rocky’s life will be held at 1:30 PM, Monday, Nov. 1, at Pine Chapel Baptist Church, 1544 W. Queen St., in Hampton. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of comfort with the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666.