Gordon Stanley Tovey's Obituary
Gordon Stanley “Rocky” Tovey, age 83, of Dallas, TX passed away on Saturday afternoon, November 22, 2014. Rocky had suffered for the past several years with pulmonary fibrosis, but never let that keep him from living a full life of serving God and his family. Rocky spent his last days on earth surrounded by his family as they shared stories, sang songs, laughed and cried together. Rocky was born on June 29, 1931 in Malad City, Idaho to Leo Tovey and Norma Hutteball. He moved to Venice, California at the age of 10 where he grew up with his brother, Keith, and graduated from Venice High School in 1949. Rocky served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War where he worked on B-29’s and the computer systems at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. After his time in the Air Force, Rocky had many interesting jobs and hobbies: he managed a skating rink floor, managed a men’s clothing store, figure skated, played roller hockey, and worked for Dictaphone Corporation, Delta Metals & Trinity Industries. Ultimately, all these jobs led Rocky to Dallas, TX where he began his own business, Gordon’s Specialties, Inc. (GSI Highway Products) in 1972. Rocky was a very successful businessman who operated his business with great integrity. Rocky was a long-time member of Scofield Memorial Church where he served on the board and sang in the choir. He was a faithful prayer warrior and disciplined man of God! His greatest joys came from spending time with his family and helping others with whatever needs they had. The past five years, Rocky and his wife Arlene have lived at the Five Star Premiere Residence of Dallas where they enjoyed leading there church congregation, visiting people in the hospital, playing chicken foot and making new friends. Rocky was a man who knew how to love others well and left a great legacy for his family! He will be missed greatly, but his family is so thankful that he is no longer suffering on this earth but rejoicing, pain-free in heaven! Rocky was preceded in death by his parents, Leo Tovey and Norma Hutteball Tovey and his grandson, Bryan Watts. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Tovey of Dallas, TX; his children, Ruth Cloninger and her husband, Don of Garland, TX, Mary Jensen and her husband, George of Garland, TX, Betty Fambrough and her husband, John of Breckenridge, TX, Janet Williams and her husband, John of Rowlett, TX, Bob Davis and his wife, Joy of Waco, TX, Barbara Dresser and her husband, Ken of Canada; his 14 grand-children, Steven, Brian, Matt, Eric, Chris, Karen, Holly, Emily, Stacey, Jonathan, Amanda, Kyle, Debbie & Jeff; his 22 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; his brother, Keith Tovey (and wife Lorene); and his 28 World Vision children. Their will be a private family graveside service at Restland on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 and a Celebration of Rocky’s life on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Scofield Memorial Church, 7730 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75231. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75238 In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to World Vision at www.worldvision.org or sent to: World Vision PO Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063
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