Rockey Lee Burkholder, 72, passed away on Monday December 7, 2020 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Tentatively, joint memorial services (with his mother, Valdie) will be held at a later date.
Rockey was born on August 31, 1948 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho to James and Valdie Burkholder. Other than a brief time spent in Nampa, Idaho, in a facility for people with mental challenges, Rockey lived his entire life on the North side of BF in three homes, all within a half mile distance from one another. 66 of his 72 years were spent in the same stucco house overlooking the city on Comanche Street, across from the old Northside School where he helped his mom who worked as a lunch lady there for many years.
Having completed the 8th grade, Rockey worked a variety of jobs including washing dishes at the Panhandle Café, mowing lawns for the City of Bonners Ferry, and cleaning the Rex Theatre.
More than anything else, Rockey enjoyed people Rockey had the total absence of discrimination based on race, gender, religion or socioeconomic status. Simply put, Rockey knew only two kinds of people: Friends and friends he hadn’t met yet. Rockey also enjoyed TV, movies, music, going on drives, travel and walking. Rockey had Popeye like calves from going back-and-forth across the bridge thousands of times.
He is survived by his brother Jim (Ruth) Burkholder, II of Bremerton, WA; sister Teresa (Marty) Becker of Bonners Ferry; nephew Jim Burkholder III of Portland, OR; Nieces Bridgette Burkholder of Bremerton, WA; Niece Brittany Burkholder of Switzerland; Nephew Lex Becker of Portland, OR; Niece, Mikkel Becker, and Grandniece, Reagan Shannon, of Spokane, WA.
He was preceded in death by his father, James Burkholder, and mother, Valdie Burkholder.
Memorials should be sent to Second Chance Animal Adoption, PO Box 1925, Bonners Ferry, ID, 83805. Phone (208) 267-7504.