Rocky Lee Whiteley greeted the Lord with his big infectious smile on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at the age of 43.
Rocky was a man of joy and compassion. There was no such thing as a stranger to him, only a friend unmet. He never saw your faults, only the greatness in you. Everyone loved him and he loved everyone. Rocky had a magnetic personality and lit up every room he entered with his spirit and energy.
He was born to Robert Lee Whiteley and Cathy Higginbotham in Ardmore, Oklahoma on August 22, 1979. His three sons, Brandon, Dylan, and Kyler were the highlight of his life. He worked in the construction industry most of his adult life and advanced his career as a lead foreman.
He married his "Grumpy Bear" T-Anne Whiteley on May 25, 2019. The two have been traveling and working side by side, 24/7 for the last six and a half years. They loved doing life together and made the most of "life on the road" by creating memories outside of work. He was proud and supportive of his children's talents and achievements. Music was his outlet. It was always turned up way too loud or for Rocky, never loud enough. A karaoke machine was a must have for Rocky. He would sing his songs, and then cordially "voluntell" you that you are on deck. The most important part for him was not the beauty or ugliness of your voice, it was the friendship and memory that was created by the rawness of the moment. He once said, "nobody can hate karaoke once they stand in front of a group and let loose." To Rocky, karaoke was not just a hobby, it was an extension of his free and joyful spirit. It was his way of saying, "you are welcome and let's be friends."
He is survived by his wife T-Anne Whiteley; father Lee; mother Cathy Higginbotham; sister Jessi Voss and husband Christian; sister Lacey Robertson and husband Kodee; stepbrothers Waas and Colton Higginbotham, sons Brandon, Dylan, and Kyler; bonus children Samantha, Newlly, Kiegan, Alexis Lou and son-in-law Alex, and grandson Rory; nephews Lane and Cole Voss; nieces Rhyan Robertson and Rowan Higginbotham; grandmother Joe Anne Sloan, along with many other family and friends. He is preceded in death by uncle Mitch Dittus; grandfather Howard Whiteley; grandfather Keith Dutton; grandmother Barbara Whiteley; step uncle Allen Higginbotham; step grandmother Linda Higginbotham; stepfather Fred Higginbotham III.
Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Moore Funeral Home in Tulsa, Oklahoma: 1908 S Memorial Dr. A celebration of life will follow from 4:30-8:30 at The American Legion Post 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma: 1120 E 8th St.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation or to St. Jude Children's Hospital
Gary Sinise Foundation link:
< https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate >
(If you choose the Gary Sinise Foundation, put lacey.robertson@berryhillschools.org as the recipient email.)
St. Jude Children's Hospital link:
< https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=7845807&pg=personal&fr_id=39300&fbclid=IwAR0TfCzRs_XS1X9IjiEGePW7OgnO1xi6Ackq7e-CeLIj51PFcqxKr6a_P8I >