David Raymond Rock Sr.

David Raymond Rock Sr., lovingly known to family and friends simply as “Rock” or “Pop,” was born on August 31, 1936, in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Ralph and Marie Rock. At just three years old, he moved with his parents to Jacksonville, Florida, the city he would proudly call home for the rest of his life.

Never one to shy away from hard work or responsibility, Rock left school after the eighth grade and joined the United States Navy. He proudly served his country during the Korean War, an experience that helped shape the strong work ethic, discipline, and determination that would define his life.

After returning home to Jacksonville in 1955, Rock met the love of his life, Anne Lorraine Boyd. It was love that would stand the test of time. They married in 1956 and embarked on a remarkable journey together that would span seventy years. Through every season of life, Anne was his greatest love, his constant companion, and his best friend.

Together, they built a beautiful life and raised three children in a home filled with love, laughter, faith, and unwavering devotion. Rock worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, eventually leading the drafting department. During the height of the Space Race, he was entrusted with work on highly classified projects, which led the family to Cocoa, Florida, for several years. When those projects were completed in 1968, they returned to Jacksonville to put down roots and build their future.

One of Rock’s greatest acts of love was building a home for Anne and their family with his own hands. After purchasing two acres off Cathy Tripp Lane, he spent years constructing their home—week by week, paycheck by paycheck, and block by block. Every nail, every wall, and every sacrifice reflected his devotion to the people he loved most. It was more than a house; it was a testament to a husband's love and a father's commitment.

Rock was a lifelong outdoorsman whose happiest moments were often spent on the water. Fishing was more than a hobby—it was a passion. He loved the early mornings, the open sea, and the camaraderie of family and friends gathered around a fishing trip. His love for Anne followed him there as well. Every boat he owned carried her name, a tribute to the woman who held his heart. After retiring in 1990, he purchased a Chris-Craft Cutty Cabin and proudly named it Raggedy Anne II. Retirement simply meant trading one job for another, as fishing quickly became his full-time pursuit. Countless friends, former coworkers, children, and grandchildren made cherished memories aboard his boats and on offshore adventures with Pop at the helm.

Above all else, Rock was devoted to Anne. Their love story was one of extraordinary commitment, and partnership. When Anne passed away on May 25, 2026, after seventy years together, a piece of his heart went with her. Just eleven days later, on June 5, 2026, Rock followed the love of his life home. His life beautifully reflected the words of Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Those who knew him witnessed that kind of love every day.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Marie Rock; his beloved wife and soulmate, Anne Lorraine Boyd Rock; his cherished daughter, Beverly Rock Mangum; his beloved daughter-in-law, Felisa Rock; and his precious great-grandson, Karsyn Wayne Mangum.

He leaves behind a family who will forever treasure his memory: his daughter, Tony Gilmore; his sons, David Rock Jr. and Wayne (Nicole) Mangum; his grandchildren, Damon (Elizabeth) Fletcher, Samuel Gilmore, Ashley (Jason) English, Aaron (Sharon) Mangum, Andrew Rock, and Caleb Rock; and nine great-grandchildren.

Though his family grieves his loss, they find comfort in knowing that Pop is once again reunited with his beloved Anne. His legacy lives on in the home he built, the family he cherished, the lessons he taught, the fishing stories he shared, and the enduring example of a life lived with hard work, faith, loyalty, and love.