JOPLIN, MO —
Rockford "Rocky" E. Smith, age 64, of Joplin, passed away Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at Mercy Hospital after a brief illness.
Rocky was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Rocky was born Dec. 31, 1947, in Joplin, to the late Ira Earl Smith and Elsie Mae (Kleschen) Smith. He lived in Joplin his entire life.
He graduated from Joplin Senior High School in 1965, and attended Missouri Southern State College and graduated in 1969, with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. His class was the first four-year class at the college.
Rocky attained employment with Burroughs Corporation, responsible for sales and service of computers and accounting systems. In 1977, he left Burroughs to form his own computer software company called Stauffer Media Systems and a retail computer chain, The Computer Patch. There were six Computer Patch stores in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. In 1995, Rocky left the computer industry after 26 years and began to work for Harrington Benefit Services, a third-party health insurance administrator. In 1999, Rocky left Harrington and began working for St. John's Regional Medical Center. Later he went to work for Coventry Healthcare and completed his career at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan.
Rocky's civic and community service is extensive. An Eagle Scout, Rocky was involved with the Boy Scouts throughout his life acting as a Cub Master and a Scout Master. He was active with the Optimist Club of Joplin, The Boys and Girls Club of Joplin, Kiwanis and Daybreak Rotary Club. He served on the Joplin R-VIII School Board of Education from 1993 until 2000. He was the vice-president as well as the president of the Board of Education. He was also the Region 9 vice president for the Missouri School Board Association. Rocky was appointed to the City of Joplin Solid Waste Commission in 1994, and served two terms until 2000. Rocky also was a member of the Board of Deacons and served as president of the Board at the First Presbyterian Church.
Rocky was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janis.
Rocky's brother, Tony G. Smith, of Florida, survives; as well as five children.
Rocky and Janis went to school together from kindergarten to high school and were married on Feb. 16, 1968. Five children survive, Bryce Smith, Topeka, Kan., Jan Hicks and her husband, Denny, Olathe, Kan., Bradford "Brady" Smith and his wife, Kirstie, Joplin, Courtney Smith and her fiancée, Jamie Esely, Joplin, and Cidney Enyart and her husband, Brett, Tulsa, Okla. Also surviving are grandchildren, Kaci Cartwright and husband, Justin, who are expecting Rocky's second great-grandchild, Chandler Carpenter, Quinn Smith, Kaylee Hicks, Bradford Smith Jr., Benjamin Enyart, Brody Enyart and Ava Esely; and a great-granddaughter, Aspen Carpenter.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the First Presbyterian Church, 509 South Pearl in Joplin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermortuary.com
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