IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
‘Rocky’ Hett
Relatives will gather with friends at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 6, 2025, at Valley United Methodist Church, Marion for a celebration of the extraordinary life of John Rockney “Rocky” Hett, 81, Marion, who gained his wings and entered Glory peacefully on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Ashes will be scattered far and wide across the country, mostly in some sort of explosive manner, and the remainder will be laid to rest at Claney Cemetery, where the sun can shine on him and he can watch the crops grow forever.
Rocky’s astonishingly full life began Feb. 8, 1944, in Newton. He was the oldest of six children of Thomas B. and Geraldine (Manuel) Hett.
He attended both Aulne and Peabody schools as a young boy and was a graduating member of the Marion High School class of 1962.
He attended Kansas State University briefly, saying he “graduated” in 10 weeks but in actuality was dismissed after a tiny incident with a fire in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house.
After returning home to Marion, it was strongly suggested that he find something to do, so he and his best friend, Tim Williams, joined the Army together.
He served as a lineman in the Signal Corps, and was designated an expert marksman.
He also served in the Army Reserve and the Kansas Army National Guard, his absolute favorite because he got to drive a tank and be a drill sergeant, something his children heard about often.
The way he balanced his fierceness with kindness and great love was never more evident than when he was being a father.
Rocky asked for Shirley Jo Dale’s hand in marriage Sept. 6, 1965, and the couple were married at Nov. 7, 1965, at Florence United Methodist Church.
They were blessed with two children, Wendy Elizabeth in 1968 and Christopher Thomas in 1973.
Rocky managed to squeeze many lives into his time on Earth. He was many things to many people — husband, father, Poppa Rock, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and trusted advisor.
He was a gas station owner, soldier, accomplished farmer and rancher, registered Hereford breeder, buffalo slayer, John Deere dealer and parts counter guru, and an addiction counselor.
He was a Kansas certified hunting guide, slow-pitch softball legend, big-game hunter and taker of a record-class long-horned Kalahari gemsbok during his dream trip to Africa in 2000, purveyor of perfume and cigars in New York City, and 38-year member of the Cottonwood Valley Drainage District board, serving as president most of those years.
He also was a proud yet humble recipient of a 35-year sobriety chip from his dear friend Allen.
His commitment to his family and his sobriety lasted more than 46 years. He also was dedicated to a life of mischief in Marion – equal parts prankster, philosopher, and chaos consultant in his cherished hometown.
Over the decades, he grew into an extraordinary steward of the land, tending it and loving it from the time he was a small boy.
He was a dedicated and skilled hunter and fisherman, colorful storyteller, local historian, and entrepreneur. In later years, he set his sights on making a lasting and generational legacy by establishing Monarch butterfly habitat and permanent wetlands on his farm, the Carefree Ponderosa.
He and Shirley Jo received a Ducks Unlimited award for unselfish dedication and significant contributions to waterfowl conservation in 1990 and the Kansas Bankers Association Wildlife Habitat Conservation Award in 1991. These awards opened the door to his future vision for the farm.
His greatest joy aside from his family was the farm he watched over for six decades, and he walked that earth with reverence and respect.
Rocky never met a stranger his entire life. His quiet generosity touched many lives. He was the Swiss Army knife of men, as comfortable in an elegant East Coast restaurant as he was gathering friends around his table at home. He was host for innumerable games of poker and mornings of coffee out at his scalehouse.
Rocky believed in hard work and grit and delivered both with a level of grace, compassion, and kindness. His sense of humor and delight at “pulling a fast one” will remain legendary as long as we speak his name and tell his stories.
He became instantly unforgettable to his nurses and aides the moment he arrived for his hospital stays. With sparkling green eyes and razor-sharp wit, he never missed a chance to tease whoever came near him with a chart or a needle.
When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2023, he looked at surgical oncologist and his worried family around him, laughed, and said let’s get it done.
He wrung more than two more years out of his body, making sure to get his money’s worth.
Rocky is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Jo of the home; daughter Wendy Hett of the home; son Chris Hett (and wife Kim) of Andover; and his beloved grandchildren, Gehrig Hett of Andover and Gracie Hett of Kansas City.
Also surviving are his siblings Bruce Hett (and wife Sandra) of McPherson; LaVonda Rothman (and husband Lew) of Morristown, New Jersey; Shelley Stafford (and husband Tom) of Hays; Bill Higgins of Marion (and companion Mary of ElDorado); and Jack Hett (and wife Donna) of Marion, along with a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Teresa Higgins, nephew Nic Higgins, and great-nephew James Wyatt Higgins.
Yazel-Megli Funeral Home is serving Rocky’s family.
Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Quail Forever or his favorite local non-profit, Wags and Wiggles Furever.
Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Rocky at www.yazelmeglifh.com.