Rocke W. McFarland

Rocke W. McFarland, 69, died July 22, 2012, in Wasilla.

He was born Aug. 21, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas, to John Douglas and Marjorie Jim (Landrum) McFarland.

Pastor Daniel Bracken will officiate at a celebration of life service in honor of Rocke at 3 p.m., July 27, at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St., Wasilla.

Rocke moved to Alaska in the 1980s and worked as a teacher and principal for the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Bethel, where he worked and believed strongly in preserving the heritage of the languages of the community to help students keep alive their own heritage of their families. He and his wife Lyuda shared 20 years together. He retired in 2002 and moved to Wasilla with his family.

He enjoyed sailing on his yacht, and snowmachining, hunting and fishing in Alaska.

His family said he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son and brother, and will be deeply missed by his family and the friends he made along life’s journey.

Surviving are his wife, Lyuda McFarland; and son, Vlad McFarland, both of Wasilla; mother, Marjorie McFarland; and sister, Marjorie McFarland, both of College Station, Texas.

Arrangements entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.