Obituary 

Ward McClellan Rockey, 96, passed away peacefully on October 22nd 2021, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born to McClellan Ward "Chick" Rockey and Celia McDowell Rockey on November 28th, 1924. Ward grew up in Olympia, Washington, in the shadows of the state capital, playing high school sports with brothers Jay and Dean. His father, Chick, coached many of the Olympia High School sports teams from the 1930's through the 1950s. Ward's fondest memories were of the visits to his maternal grandparents' wheat ranch in Molson, Washington near the Canadian border.

In 1942, Ward graduated from Olympia High School, joined the Navy and became a Seabee. He was stationed in Hawaii and served briefly at the end of WWII, building airfields in Japan. Ward then attended Washington State University, where he was president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu, pitched for the Cougars and graduated with a degree in English.

Ward then pursued a career in baseball, reaching the minor leagues as a pitcher for the Spokane Indians. It was during this time he married Lois Janet DeForest. In 1962 he joined the Washington Natural Gas Company as a lobbyist in Seattle. Weekends were spent with the Rockey, LaClair and DeForest families skiing, fishing and frequently visiting the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.

In 1968, Ward moved his family to Westport, Connecticut, where he worked for Consolidated Edison in NYC as the assistant to the Vice President of Public Affairs. He retired at the age of 59 and moved to Rancho Santa Fe, CA with Janet.

In retirement, Ward was an avid reader, golfed daily and had an enviable short game. He eventually shot his age at 71. Throughout his life, he enjoyed the camaraderie of all sports but particularly his morning golf group at Whispering Palms. However, Ward's greatest joy came from his four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ward is predeceased by his wife, Janet, of 62 years and his brother Jay Rockey of Seattle. He is survived by his children: Robin Anne Davis (Walter) of Louisville, CO; Karen DeForest Rockey (Skip) of Norwalk, CT; Jay Dautin Rockey of Woodland Hills, CA; grandchildren: Lindsay DeForest Davis Neitenbach (Jeff) of Erie, CO; Ashton Anderson Davis Leonard (Brendan) of Kailua, Hawaii; Rachel Marie Rockey of New York City; Michelle Tierney Rockey of Hermosa Beach, CA; great-grandchildren: Eva Marie Neitenbach and Colton Edward Neitenbach; brother Dean Rockey (Frances) of Seattle, WA and many nieces, nephews and friends including Teri Rockey and his longtime caregiver, Kevin Krampe.