Rocky was born on September 22, 1950 in Neon, Kentucky, to Ellis Fugate and the late Lillie McCoy Fugate. He passed away at age 67 on September 14, 2018 in Tyler, Texas.
He graduated as valedictorian from Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas in 1969. Rocky then graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science in 1975. He was employed as a Programmer and Systems Analyst for several oil and gas companies before beginning his career at Trane/Ingersoll Rand, where he worked diligently for 22 years as a Senior Principal Analyst/Designer until his retirement in 2008.
Rocky believed in selflessly serving others as his Heavenly Father instructed His disciples to do. He was a board member at The Scroll Christian Bookstore from the 1980’s until the store closed in 2018. Following his retirement, Rocky invested his time in volunteerism by helping to provide clothes and shoes to the needy as a part of the Jesus’ Closet ministry and doing disaster relief work following catastrophic floods and hurricanes in several states with Samaritan’s Purse.
Rocky had a brilliant mind, a zest for learning, and was a wealth of knowledge on many varied subjects to those who knew him. He had a quick wit and contagious laugh, a generous spirit, tireless determination, and a passion for music, photography and reading. Rocky will be fondly remembered by his family for teaching his children to work hard, love unconditionally, and live by Christian values. His love and adoration of his six young grandchildren will never be forgotten.
Rocky was a devoted husband of 42 years to Brenda Berridge Fugate. In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by his daughter, Amanda Fugate Allen of Flint, Texas; sons, Reid Fugate of Tyler, Texas, and Jordan Fugate and wife Randi Murphree Fugate of Bullard, Texas; father, Ellis Fugate of Dwarf, Kentucky; grandchildren, Brooklyn Allen, Sariniti Fugate, Ayden Fugate, Jordan Fugate, Titus Fugate, and Lilly Fugate; sister, Deborah Ahluwalia of Morgan Hill, California, and many other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillie McCoy Fugate, and his sister, Fonda Fugate.
The family will receive friends at visitation on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lloyd James Funeral Home, 1011 E. First St., Tyler, Texas. A graveside service, officiated by Paul Campbell, will take place on what would have been Rocky’s 68th birthday, Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery, 7825 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in Rocky's name be made to Hospice of East Texas or Samaritan's Purse.
