Roland ''Smoke'' Gocken

Roland "Smoke" Gocken, 80, of Kathleen, GA passed away Saturday, February 18, 2012 in Perry, GA.

Smoke was born June 30, 1931 in Crescent City, IL, a son of Edward and Martha Lehman Gocken. He married Ruth Hofer on March 8, 1952 in Cissna Park, IL and she preceded him in death on January 19, 1986. He later married Betty Griffin on July 25, 1987 in Perry, GA.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Griffin; one daughter, Julie (Rick) Brooks of Murfreesboro, TN; one son, Craig (Velanne) Gocken of Watseka, IL; four grandchildren, Travis (Brooke) Gocken, Nathan Gocken, Mallory Gocken, and Ashley (David) Milford; one great-grandchild, Grace Gocken; three step-daughters, Marci (Deen) Cawthon, Tamatha (Ed) Beckham, and Kimberly (Martin) Pinckney; six step-grandchildren, Griffin and Conner Cawthon, Brant and Beck Beckham, Avoly and Leyton Pinckney.

Smoke managed Bryce Farmers Grain in Milford, IL for many years and owned Lawndale Grain with offices in Lawndale, IL and later Fountain Creek, Wellington, and East Lynn, IL. Smoke also served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cissna Park, IL, a member of the Cissna Park Board of Education for 20 years, and served as a board member of the Illinois Grain and Feed Association during his business years. Smoke enjoyed all sports, especially slow pitch softball after he retired to Georgia. He played for the Georgia Peaches softball team in Atlanta, GA, where the team played in more than 28 states. Smoke was a member of the 1996 Peaches team that won the 65 and over Senior Softball-USA World Championship in Phoenix, AZ. They also won another World Championship in 1998 and National Championship in 2000. He continued to play softball until he was 78 years young.

Memorials may be made to Perry United Methodist Church, 1001 Carroll Street, Perry, Georgia 31069, or to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, 804 Cherry Street Ste. A, Macon, Georgia 31201. Please write Warner Robins Cancer Center Relay for Life team in memory of Roland Gocken on the memo line.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Perry United Methodist Church.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088