Richard Lee (Dick) Rokey

Dick attended Sabetha schools. His early years were spent in the Old Albany Schoolhouse, 3 miles north of town (now a historic site and museum). Dick graduated from Sabetha High School in May of 1956. He was highly dedicated to their athletics program, playing football, basketball, and running track for the Blue Jays. He also played catcher on the Sabetha Legion Baseball team coached by his dad Andy for 5 years.

In 1955 Dick enlisted in the Kansas National Guard, Battery B, Sabetha, and then the United States Navy in December of 1956. He was honorably discharged in 1962 as Company 693's Honor Man.

After leaving active duty in December of 1960 Dick moved to Topeka and began working for the AT&SF Railway. In 1963 Dick quit the railroad and went into the automobile service station business, which he labored at for 16 years. In 1979 he went back to Santa Fe (later becoming BNSF) where he spent the rest of his career, retiring in August of 2003.

On March 28, 1964 Dick was married to Patricia Ann Wilder at the United Methodist Church, Sabetha, by Rev. John Martin. After a short, and I do mean short, honeymoon, Dick and his new bride returned to Topeka. To this union were born 3 sons: Judd Andrew (Topeka), Kevin Lee (Eudora), and Sean Patrick (Topeka). Dick was extremely proud of Pat and his 3 sons.

Dick is survived by his sons, granddaughter Bre'Yana Marie Rokey, grandson Jaeger Lee Rokey and sister Andrea Clark (Ralph) in Topeka. Dick was preceded in death by his mom, dad, sister Mary Rokey Boltinghouse, brother Larry Rokey, and sister Linda Rokey Scurlock who died in the Hyatt Regency Hotel disaster in Kansas City in 1981.

Dick became a born-again, saved christian in 2003 and would like all to know...."Don't feel too sorry that I've died. I've had a good life, been married to a wonderful woman for 56 years, God gave us 3 great sons and 2 beautiful grandchildren, AND today I have seen the face of God and am in Heaven with him for eternity. I don't know how it could get any better than that! "

Dick requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Highland Park Baptist Church. Thank you.