Ariel Jack "A.J." Rock

Ariel Jack “A.J.” Rock SOUTH OGDEN - Ariel Jack Rock died from cancer on Friday, August 8, 2008 at his daughter’s, Lona Lee Tippets’, home in South Ogden, Utah. He was born April 5, 1930 at Grandmother Olena Olsen Anderson’s home in Salem, Madison County, Idaho. His parents were Ariel David and Naoma Anderson Rock and they lived in Hibbard, Madison County, Idaho. He is survived by his three children, Lona Lee and Dean Tippets, South Ogden, UT; Philipp Dave Rock, Ogden, UT; Jacquelynn and Gary Hanko, Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Jessica Hanko, Melissa Hanko, Kristen Hanko, Jacob Rock; sister, Nola Hansen Morley, Moroni, UT; and sister-in-law, Freda Rock, Magna, UT. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and twin brothers, Gaylen David and Gerald Anderson Rock, as well as his loving wife, Gerta Erika Augusta Liederbach. Gerta passed away on October 16, 2005. When World War II began, the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and Jack’s family began a new and very different life than they had ever experienced before. They all adjusted, except for Jack, who longed for his friends and school back in Idaho. So, he returned again to Hibbard, living with relatives and friends. He always had a carefree, happy, fun-loving personality, and drew friends around him who remained all through his life. Upon his return to Idaho, Jack held a job helping with the building of a new hospital in Rexburg. He was a hod carrier for the mortar and bricks, which involved mixing and carrying the brick for the building. However, as soon as he became old enough, he joined the U.S. Air Force. The war was at an end and Jack was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. He trained on the large aircrafts that refueled planes while in-flight and was an aircraft mechanic. Later, he was stationed on a base in Frankfurt, Germany, where he met a girl working on the base who stole his heart and the courtship began. Before his four years of service was completed and he was about to be discharged, he married Gerta on July 3, 1954 in her hometown of Sprendlingen, Germany. First it was as German law required, a civil ceremony, followed by their marriage in the Lutheran Church where Gerta was a member. The first home they purchased was in the Rose Park area of Salt Lake and Jack worked for the Utah Oil Refining Company, while Gerta was employed at St. Mark’s Hospital. Jack moved through different positions until became the trouble shooter for stations north of Salt Lake. If he couldn’t repair the problem, he would arrange for someone else who could. Since his area was further north and Gerta began working for the IRS in Ogden, they purchased a large orchard area in North Ogden and told the contractor who was building their home to leave as much orchard undisturbed as possible. What a wonderful home it became for Jack, Gerta, and their children to grow up in! Everyone was welcome there, and if walls could talk, they would recount stories of the happiness that resided in that home. After they had retired and their children were grown, Jack and Gerta spent winters in Yuma, Arizona and summers in Gold Beach, Oregon. With close friends they enjoyed golf, swimming, dancing, fishing and leisure hours together, as friendships never to be forgotten were made and strengthened. Of course, there was golf, golf, and more golf, as well as fishing, fishing, and more fishing. Jack, a happy, loving person, will always be remembered by life-long friends and family as he enters into God’s Kingdom and his Heavenly home. The family wishes to express special thanks to Ilene Tippets and to IHC Hospice: Julie, Janet, Erika, Jennifer, and Iris for their kindness and compassion. A memorial service will be held at Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma, Arizona at a later date. Funeral Directors, Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com