He was born to Duard and Lillie Mae Rock on October 10, 1947 in Fulton, Mississippi. Milford is survived by his brother Edward Rock, 75, and his wife Janie, 74, of Amory, MS; sisters Nona Sue Strong, 79, of Pearl, MS and Edna Earl Cates, 77, of Mountain Home, AR. His brother Willie Ed Rock preceded him in death by less than two weeks on December 22, 2020.
Milford is also survived by his daughters Kim Lynn and her husband Arturo Torres, and Jennifer Susan Rock and her husband Sergio Valle. His grandchildren Chelsea Marie, Jacob Austin and wife Tanya Angelica, Joshua Quinten and wife Aisley Anne, Sydney Maegan, Talen Rock, Summer Lilly, and Zoey Jane. And, his great-grandson, Cristian Gilbert Torres.
Milford grew up in Mississippi, the youngest of nine children. When he was young, he loved fishing, being outdoors, working on cars and hanging out with his best friend and brother, Edward, and their cousin, James Pickle. He was drafted by the Army in 1968 and sent to Vietnam where he became a medic. It wasn't long before his training led him to San Antonio to learn respiratory therapy, which he specialized in for the remainder of his working career. He spent over 30 years working in a hospital - first at Brook Army Medical Center in Ft. Sam Houston before retiring from the Army in 1989, and then at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in downtown San Antonio. He worked in the adult ICU, doing treatments, drawing blood gas, and adjusting settings on ventilators. After retiring fully, he spent a lot of time with his children and grandchildren, going to all sorts of musical, sports and official events. This past year, as he grew older and achier, and his eyesight grew worse, he moved in with Jennifer for a bit, and then Kim - spending good, quality time with his adoring daughters and while sometimes ornery, always loving and caring.
Ironically, he passed after spending a short time in an adult ICU, getting his own breathing treatments and eventually needing to be on a ventilator. He was cared for by heroic doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists at North Central Baptist, and especially a wonderful young nurse, Kelsey, who was his advocate in every way when his daughters could not be with him.
He was a loving, generous man and neighbor with a kind and genuine soul. He was the best coach, cheer leader, therapist, confidant, teacher and mentor and will be missed tremendously.
The family will be receiving guests for Milford held Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas, followed by a celebration of life from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. His interment will occur on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Rock family.
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