June 19, 1944 – August 16, 2023
Richard (Rick) Thomas Bocz, age 79, passed away August 16, 2023, in Mineola, Texas, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 19, 1944, in Lucerne Mines, Pennsylvania, to Paul and Helen Bocz. Raised alongside his siblings Don, Donna, Bill, Sam and Jim, in Homer City, Pennsylvania, Rick graduated from Laura Lamar High School in 1962.
Following graduation, Rick promptly joined the United States Air Force in June 1962. He served his country in Vietnam from 1970-1971 and after twenty years of service, retired from the military in 1982 while posted at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
Throughout his life, Rick continued to actively serve his fellow Veterans at VFW posts around the nation. He held several officer positions and currently served as Quartermaster at the Mineola VFW Post 7523. He was a member of the American Legion and the non-profit DAV – Disabled American Veterans organization.
An avid traveler, Rick lived in numerous places throughout his life including Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, England, Michigan, Vietnam, Maine, Thailand and Alaska. It was while in Alaska that he met his current wife, Vicki Harmon. They spent 22 years together and settled in Grand Saline, Texas.
Always the life of the party, Rick loved building a good fire, socializing, dancing, and playing card games. An organizer of all things, he took special pride when working in his shop, caring for his land, maintaining his home and building his collections. Rick was an avid reader and loved to settle in with a good Thomas Clancy or historical novel.
Rick counted it a privilege and honor to serve his great nation and be known as a Veteran. Yet, his most fulfilling roles were those of son, brother, husband, Dad and Pappaw.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Paul & Helen Bocz, sister, Donna Lee and brother, Paul Donnell. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Bocz (Grand Saline, Texas), son, Paul Richard Bocz & wife, Tracey (England), daughter, Kimberly Ivey and husband, Jason (Alaska). Grandchildren Kandace Phillips & husband, Dean (Grand Saline, Texas), Konstance Miller & husband, Trevor (Alaska), Kristopher Smith (Alaska), Kamren Smith (Alaska), Kabriella Smith (Alaska), and Kadarina Smith (Alaska), Karmen Smith (Alaska), Lauren Bocz (England), Isaac Bocz (England). He also leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren, plus one to be born in January 2024 and numerous other relatives and friends.
It was the desire of Richard Thomas Bocz to be cremated and have his ashes spread over Sleeping Lady Mountain, in Alaska. As he said, ‘to see the rest of the world he hadn’t gotten to see’. The family will host a Celebration of Life in his honor at a later date
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