Tony Frank Rothrock's Obituary
Tony Frank Rothrock, Jr. (aka Tony Jr., T.R., and Rock) was born to Mary Irene and Tony Frank Rothrock, Sr. on July 24, 1938 in Longview, TX. He passed away May 14, 2018.
After attending Longview High School, where he played tailback and ran track, he continued his football comradery and earned a bachelor’s degree from East Texas State College. Tony and his wife, Sue, moved to Silsbee then Daingerfield for him to teach and coach. Tony’s coaching, teaching, and athletic days gave him material for a lifetime of lively story-telling. In Longview, Tony worked in the family business, ultimately becoming the owner of Rothrock Sales Company...and a lifetime supply of Miller High Life caps. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and boundless generosity, known to help others pursue their dreams and give to good causes.
Tony loved to travel and spend time on the golf course, often in South Carolina where he and his second wife, Carol, kept a home. Content behind the wheel on a road trip or accumulating frequent flier miles, he enjoyed traveling with friends and family and made a number of friends into family. Tony loved BIG. He was a kind man, a loyal friend, a devoted father and provider, a teacher, an adoring son and husband; his generosity and huge heart were unparalleled. It was hard not to love this confident, pleasant-natured man – an amateur meteorologist who could have been a sportscaster to rival Jimmy Johnson.
Will you remember an athletic young man, a cowboy-hatted gentleman, a coffee shop or boot shop buddy, a cap wearing football game goer, a relaxed golfer, a proud father, a late-night-out dancer, or a God-loving man who kept us in his prayers? Take time to remember your personal experiences. I suspect those of you who knew him adored some part of him. For me, in addition to his good humor, I adore that he always moved beyond what could have been his limit, to understand more, to accept more, to forgive more, to find more peace, to grow more, and to see himself more objectively.
Tony is survived by his children, Kathy Lancaster, Tony Rothrock, III, Ashley Bass, and Chris Rothrock; and grandchildren, Mitch Lancaster, Ryan Lancaster, Blake Lancaster, Leah Lancaster, Orion Bass, Oliver Cash Rothrock, and Asher Rothrock.
Visitation will be Friday, May 18, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. A private family service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Junior League of Longview Scholarship Fund, PO Box 866, Longview, TX, 75606 or a charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Tony?
What’s a lesson you learned from Tony?
Share a story where Tony's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Tony you’ll never forget.
How did Tony make you smile?