George Rock III, who for years headed the bank founded by his father, died of cancer Saturday at Porter Hospice. He was 68.
A funeral Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, East Seventh Avenue Parkway and Elizabeth Street.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 E. Hampden Ave.
Rock was the retired president of the Bank of Denver, which for almost 50 years was at 1534 California St.
In January, that location was closed and moved to 810 E. 17th Ave. The other branches are at 16th and Glenarm streets, West Colfax Avenue and Fox Street, and Leetsdale Drive and Holly Street.
The bank’s founder, George Rock Jr., died at an early age, and the bank was then run by his widow, Marie (see correction, below). Her sons later took it over, said George’s brother, Gene Rock, current chairman of the board.
A third generation of Rocks is also involved: Gene’s daughter (and George Rock III’s niece), Linda Kreutz, is now president.
George Rock III was a recovering alcoholic, his brother said, and stopped drinking almost 30 years ago. For the rest of his life, he volunteered time to work with people who had substance- abuse problems. He helped people at Sobriety House, ARC and Denver Cares, which he co- founded.
Walt Emery, who had been on the bank’s board for years, said Rock “turned into a fine man” after he stopped drinking.
George Rock III was born in Denver on May 19, 1937, and graduated from East High School and the University of Denver. After serving in the Marines, he joined his brother in the bank business with their father.
George Rock III married Carla Powers, and after their divorce he married Donna Hildebrand, who later died. In addition to his brother and niece, he is survived by his third wife, Marilyn Osbourne Rock; his daughter, Regi Archer of Houston; sons George Rock IV and Jerry Rock, both of Denver, and Jimmy Rock of Phoenix; five grandchildren; and his sister, Linda Rhea of Denver.
Staff writer Virginia Culver can be reached at 303-820-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com.
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporter’s error, the article incorrectly stated that the late Marie Rock had been president of the Bank of Denver.
