Big Al had a great run – passing away just four weeks shy of his 93rd birthday.
Albert Schock was born on a farm in eastern Montana near the town of Fallon. After losing the farm, Al, his two sisters, mom and dad all moved to Marsh. Here his father worked on the railroad; they soon moved to Colgate, Montana and the family of five lived in a boxcar converted to their home.
Al began his education at the German school in Marsh, attending 1st – 3rd grade where he learned to speak English. He completed 4th grade through graduation in Glendive, Montana, leaving home at the age of 13 to be able to play sports and continue his schooling in Glendive. He graduated from high school in 1947; football and track (high hurdles) were his two sports of choice and he excelled in both.
Al enlisted in the Army/Air Force in January 1948. He served four years, spending most of his time served in New York, with a year in England; he was one of the youngest Staff Sergeants. He played basketball in the Air Force and was part of the team when they were national champions.
After serving his country, Al attended Montana State beginning in the fall of 1951 and was a part of the football team. Here, he met Kay in 1952 which turned into an everlasting love. They married in 1953. Al graduated from Montana State in 1956 with an Electrical Engineering Degree.
General Electric in Schenectady, New York was the first stop for the Schock Family, Roanoke, Virginia was the next stop for the family with Al still employed at GE. They continued on, moving from Virginia to Schenectady again (with 2 boys in tow) then to Milwaukee with Louis Allis. From Milwaukee they made their way to Aurora, Colorado in 1959 where the last 2 Schock Boys arrived.
Al’s career took him to Reliance Electric in 1968 where he remained until he retired in the late 1980s and continued consulting in the mining industry for many more years. Throughout his years in Aurora, he enjoyed The Turnverein German Club, golfing, hunting, fishing, fly tying and brewing beer.
His love for custom carpentry, jewelry making, golf, photography, and coaching throughout the years leaves many beautiful pieces of furniture, bracelets and other projects with his family, making for many treasured memories. He was supportive of his sons, their spouses, grandkids and great grandkids.
Al’s legacy is extensive. He is survived by Kay, his wife of 68 years, daughter in law Dixie (Phoenix), sons Curt (Pam) Denver, Dale (Laurie) Tucson and Kent (Cecilia) Los Angeles.,. Al is loved and remembered by 14 grandkids and 16 great grandkids. He was preceded in death by his oldest son Dean Alan.
Services will be held on Friday April 1st, at 10:00 am at Horan McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80014. Reception to follow. Military Honors will be the same afternoon at 1:30 at Fort Logan. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can made to The Denver Hospice.
Actually Amy sent a ultra sound by video but I could not print it, anyway Amy is pregnant!
Marissa just had her boy in January and Kelly is due, too. Lots of grandbabies this year!!!!
"In Eastern Montana, Glendive, winter nights were long but not boring. Basketball games, Community Concerts, sledding under street lights and exciting radio programs.
I heard my first harp when I was in first grade, sitting on the first row of DCHS auditorium (without parents) eagerly looking up at the beautiful lady playing this etheral instrument. She smiled at me and I was forever smitten by a harp.
Great fun and memorable was to come home from sledding to find my Mom stirring up a batch of fudge. You could use a candy thermometer to get it right or just drop a bit into a glass of cold water to see if the proper soft ball stage was reached. It was now ready to remove from the fire (we cooked with gas), drop in the butter and vanilla and begin to beat it with a wooden spoon.
Mom wrapped a towel around the hot pan and propped it in the crook of her arm and began to beat. Too much beating and it would turn to a crumbly mess. Just enough and it would lose its gleam and be ready to pour in a buttered dish. When it was firm to the touch, it was cut into squares or sometimes rolled in a log (not too often on that one). It was delicious and with a large family you didn't have a chance to overeat. The pan and spoon was given to the yougest to lick, me. Many times it was shared with brother Dick in the Navy or brother and sisters at college.
Messages at Christmas while living at Treeo in Orem, Utah, 2021
I’m
glad you are up in Utah living now. I marvel at your youthfulness and zest for
life! It’s been wonderful to get to know you better these last few months.
Merry Christmas Janet! You are awesome! Much love, Kim
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Cute
Christmas card/email, love the pics. Glad you have some Christmas entertainment
at Treeo. Love you :) Linda
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Glad to see you
are adapting to your new surroundings, I never doubted that you would, you have
always been up for new adventures. It is so good to see you at Treeo and we are
all so glad you are here with your sister Jeanne, we love you and your little dog
Sadie .
Brian
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So nice to hear from
you! I enjoyed my SBA duties in San Diego (Julian) during this time of year
after the fires from before Thanksgiving (Borrego Springs) and after (New Years
Eve in Ramona) Lovely area. Blessings to you and your Very Extended family.
BTW, There is an LDS Community in Julian.
Antonio (Tony) Olmi, BA QB Broker La Entrada Realty NM Lic.#6650 Gateway Real Estate Services NM Lic.#17324
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Thank you for the photos and nice stories. It’s great to her that you are doing well and have your health. Keep doing all your fun activities and enjoying life and the family and friends that are able to visit. We get to talk with you often and love hearing about how things are going. We send positive thoughts and hope that you outlive the doctors prospective on time.
What ever happens, we are with you in our thoughts and cherish the wonderful Mother you have been for our family. Lots of warm and Heartfelt memories of visiting you at your Lake house. You were always such a nice host to the kids and they love you deeply. Thank you for all you have done for them and the love and hospitality you provided through the years.
The photo of you at your lake house really touches my heart. I
really have enjoyed your family. Thank you for being a Mom to me and welcoming
me into your family. I love Maria so much and it has been nice to enjoy
her siblings and extended family and her Mother.
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year, and I hope we get to say the same to each other for many more years to come.
Love you. Take good care of yourself.
Johnny
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Oh, Aunt Janet, I am so happy to hear from you. It sounds like you have the perfect little home - so close to the many family members that love you. I am sorry to hear about your health problems. I will be praying that your life is joyful and extended. Merry Christmas to you. You have always been my favorite!!!
Love forever,
Rebecca Smith
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Dear Aunt Janet,
Thank you for the update and glad to hear you are doing
well. I was just in Orem last week and if I knew you were there my wife
and I would have visited. My wife (Laura) and I, along with Michelle
& husband, Jennifer & husband and Cameron and wife are all
building homes in Mapleton Utah about ten minutes from you. We are all
moving from Lake Stevens Wa. Our home plans are with the architect and we should start building in the second quarter of next year. It will
be two years before we move there .... this is the direction we are
headed. The building lots are in a development called Hidden Cove near the
mountains. Please send me your telephone number so that I can
contact you.
Love you,
Matt and Laura
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Merry Christmas Janet:
Great getting your very nice email Christmas card….we both wish you a wonderful Christmas!
So
sorry to hear about your health reports…sure wish you well and our prayers are
with you.
We sold our lake condo at the Flathead last July so our summer plans have changed a bit. We still want to spend time up there and when we go thru Utah we will give you a call and may be we can do lunch sometime.
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Dear Aunt Janet,
We love and appreciate you and are so glad to have the chance to see you at Treeo. We are grateful for all the love and care you give to Jeanne.
All our love,
Brian and Norma
Stan and Becca Thayne
Jen and Mike Crosby!
Missy and Ken Matthews
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Thank you so much for you wonderful letter with pictures, I love it.
Wow, lots of changes! Would love to come for a visit and meet your sister and family. I need to take your example and get busy--I've been busy reading toooo many books lately! Really good books--but still need to do more important stuff! Been busy in R S. Take care of yourself--you're important to me.
Cheri (Betty Matson's daughter) Eleanora's granddaughter
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Janet,
Someday I hope to travel your way and visit. Great to recieve your letter and address update.
Janice (Eiler)
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Dear Janet,
Thanks for your Christmas letter. Good to hear news of you. We've slowed down a lot at 89 and 90 but we have Donna here with us. We hope you are contented in your new place. Sending out cards has become a little more difficult as we age!
Love, Don and Kay Bennett and Donna
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Merry Christmas!!! Love, Ellen ( Kawaguchi) from Glendive 6th grade
She sent a picture card and her and her daughter and grandchildren. She looks so young!!!!
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Dear Janet,
Merry Christmas and Hopeful New Year. Thanks so mch for all you do for Mom. We're all so glad you are there,
Love, your niece Carole
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Merry Christmas, Janet,
Wishing you all the blessings of the season.
Thank you for all you do for Mom. David and Tami
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Dear Janet,
Heartfelt wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. Love, Carole
Love my bed!
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Craig, Collin, Gary, and Ethan show their muscles in the Pulsipher Play Room.
