Daniel Lee Rocco

Daniel Lee Rocco, of Nevada, Mo., passed suddenly from this life at Cox South in Springfield, Mo., surrounded by his family on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Dan was born in Raytown, Mo., on Oct. 3, 1947, to Ralph (Deke) and Marie (Cotton) Rocco. He attended Raytown South High School, graduating in 1965.

Dan served our country in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1972. After he was discharged from the Navy, Dan completed training and apprenticeship in sheet metal with A. Zahner Sheet Metal of Kansas City. He was a proud member of Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association Local Union No. 2 for 45 years. Dan excelled in his work and was well respected by his co-workers. He quickly became a foreman for the company and led his crews on some amazing projects all over the world; including the AT&T Tower, the Kauffman Center, the EMP (Experience Music Project) in Seattle, the Pulitzer Museum, Cottey College in Nevada, and Hong Kong International Airport. Dan was a loyal, dependable and hard-working man, devoting his life to his work in architectural construction.

Dan married his wife Judy Ann Gilman, of Nevada, Mo., in the summer of 1981. He loved his family with passion and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Rocco of Nevada, Mo.; four children, Ashley Rocco of Bronaugh, Mo., Miranda Pucci (and her husband, Nick) of Ballwin, Mo., Amy Kent (and her husband, Jamie) of Wentzville, Mo., and Michael Rocco (and his wife, Michelle) of Fayetteville, Ark.; 11 grandchildren, Thomas (T.D.) McBeth, Lauren Seybold (and husband, Ryan), Braxton Rocco, Aricka Pryor, Austin (Oswald) Kent, George Rocco, Andrew Kent, Ava Pucci, Eliza Pucci, Ashley Kristine Rocco and Alyssa (Ally) Rocco; one brother, Michael Rocco of Bella Vista, Ark.; and “Pup” his beloved cat.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Marie Rocco.

Dan was an avid fisherman. Family and friends will cherish memories of Dan, with his fly fishing pole, standing on the banks of Roaring River waiting for the sirens. He loved being outdoors most of all, whether it was fishing, camping, or being at deer camp. He loved listening to the oldies, and was known to cut a rug from time to time. After retirement, Dan lived a more private life where he enjoyed tending to his landscaping at his home (aka growing his own forest), building model airplanes, watching TV (History, SciFi and cooking shows), and spending time with his family. Whether you knew him as Daniel, Dan, Danny, Danno, Rocco, Rock or Rocky, if you knew him, you know that he didn’t hold back. He will be missed by many. Here is to you old man... the man, the myth, the legend... our ROCK!

The family will receive friends and family at a “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the basement area at the Elks Lodge, 510 N. Centennial Blvd., Nevada. The family asks that you please stop by during this time to share a memory in his honor.