Kenneth Robert Jock, 77, of Vero Beach, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday January
6 th , 2020. Beside him holding his hand as always, was his wife of 53 years, Marla.
Ken was born December 13 th , 1942 to Kenneth Gerald Jock & Gertrude Lucy Shatlaw at the family home
in Fort Covington, NY. He grew up in Massena, NY, the oldest of 5 children including his "little" brother
Bruce and his sisters Barbara, Susan, & Phyllis. He attended Saint Mary's Catholic School where he
enjoyed playing drums in the school band.
He attended high school at Massena Central High School where he continued to excel in band and
learned electronics from his dad while working in a TV repair shop. He was thrilled to play in the
ceremonial band for both President Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II during the inaugural opening of
the St. Lawrence Seaway.
After graduation, he escaped Massena in 1961 by joining the United States Navy. He proudly served as
an Electronics Technician specializing in Cryptographic Equipment aboard the heavy guided missile
cruiser USS Boston (CG-1). It was during this time he met the love of his life, Marla Hoffmann, while at
Great Lakes in Illinois. They were married in Milwaukee on May 14 th , 1966, beginning an adventure of
53 years together.
During his enlistment, he travelled all through the Mediterranean & Atlantic, transited the Panama
Canal and eventually served two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with
Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, & Good Conduct Medal. After his tours of Vietnam, he was
posted to duties at both the Pentagon & the White House.
Completing 8 years of service, he and Marla resided in Wisconsin where they raised their 3 children,
Paul, Wendy, & Kevin. He worked for General Motors for 28 years at the AC/Delco plant in Oak Creek,
WI as a Skilled Technician.
Retiring to Florida, he enjoyed his time golfing with his buddies, showing off his MG's in car shows, and
taking the grandkids for rides. He and Marla also enjoyed travelling on cruises to far away destinations.
He is survived by his wife Marla, his two sons Paul (Diane) Jock of Vero Beach, FL and Kevin (Diana) Jock
of Eagle, WI, his sisters Barbara (Charles) Roberts of Hyde Park, NY, Susan Klein of Pembroke Pines, FL,
and Phyllis (Allyn) Wagner of Farmington, NY.
He is predeceased by his daughter Wendy (Randy) Leonard of Elkhorn, WI and his brother Bruce (Mary
Kay) Jock of Avon, NY.
Celebrations of Ken's life will take place in Vero Beach & in Wisconsin at a later date.