Tom Rock

Thomas Dean "Tom" Rock was born January 23, 1946, and passed away December 14, 2024. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he resided in Cleveland with his family since 1978.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Katherine (Gurniak) Rock; daughter, Tammy Griffith (Brian) and grandson, Brandon, of Durham, North Carolina; daughter, Becky Puckett (Charlie), of Harrison, Tennessee; brother, Jim Rock (Susan) of Germantown, Tennessee; sister, Nancy Faust (Jake) of Grayling, Michigan; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose Joseph Rock and Marion Estelle Rock, of Huntsville, Alabama.

Tom worked as a draftsman, sharing his mechanical design talents with numerous companies through the years, including Chrysler Canada and M&M Mars.

Tom was a loyal, diligent, hard working crew member during his time with the A Troop, 1/278 ACR of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Sergeant Rock served honorably, bravely, and with integrity during his three years. He also showed his artistic side by filming gunnery operations in March 1985 at Fort Pickett, Virginia, which was shared at the last men's dinner on December 2, 2024.

Tom was a gifted artist and railroad historian. He first became interested in art as a child. Later, through the encouragement of his father, he took drafting courses in high school which led him into the graphic arts field. In 1972, he produced his first painting under the guidance of NASA Technical Illustrators. He was taught realism in acrylics, a style he mastered over 40 years. A self-taught artist who devoted all his painting themes to railroad depots and railroad still life, he released seven works from 1988 to 1994 and was honored to be chosen to display his work at The Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee. Tom's prints grace the walls of numerous corporate and private collections in the U.S. and Canada. Some of the most notable recipients of Tom's Chattanooga Choo-Choo prints include Mrs. Paula Kelly Turner, one of the singers of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo song made popular by big band leader Glenn Miller, and Glenn Miller's son and daughter.

Tom was an avid hockey fan and adored cheering for his favorite Detroit Red Wings. You could also find him cheering for the Duke Blue Devils during basketball season, and the Atlanta Braves during baseball season.

Tom enjoyed The Weather Channel, America's Funniest Videos, and feeding and watching backyard birds and critters. His favorite vacation destinations included Windsor, Ontario; Niagara Falls; and the Great Smoky Mountains.

The visitation for Tom Rock will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 11:00 to 1:00 PM at Companion Funeral & Cremation Service - Cleveland. Funeral service will take place at 1:00 PM. Private burial will follow at Hiwassee Memorial Gardens.

In remembrance of Tom Rock, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum or Triangle Beagle Rescue of Raleigh, NC.