GORDON R. BROCK 
Gordon Raymond Brock passed away on December 15, 2022 at his home in Mesquite, Nevada. He was 97 years old. Gordon was born on November 23, 1925 in Norwood, CO. He was the ninth child of ten born to James and Edna Merle Brock. Gordon’s childhood was not idyllic. His mother died when he was nine and his father abandoned the family soon after. His life before that had been a series of moves from place to place and very little money to live on. Not much changed for Gordon during his years growing up in the West End of Colorado. He even lived alone at ten years old for a summer in Nucla, CO. He had a milk cow for his use and a charge account at the Nucla Mercantile for bread that his older brother Bill had set up. Something extremely unusual was in his heart and soul, for despite his difficult circumstances, Gordon always worked very hard. He graduated from Nucla High School in 1943 and then joined the Navy in the winter of 1944 and served two years in the Signal Gang onboard the USS Attu, a small supply aircraft carrier that went all over the South Pacific during WWII. Gordon got home to Nucla in May of 1946.
He married Julia Eva Cooper on June 15, 1947 at her parent’s home in Nucla. Gordon worked as a uranium driller until the couple moved to California in 1951, where he worked in the heat treating industry in LA and then San Diego. Their daughter Debra was born in 1951 and their son Earl was born in 1954. They spent the 18 years they lived in California dune buggying in the desert, and boating on the Colorado River at Yuma, AZ.
In 1973 they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and Gordon went to work for Ready Ice until he retired in 1986. They then traveled with friends in their fifth wheel camper all over the US and spent time with their children, grandsons and extended family.
In 1994, they sold the Las Vegas house and moved back to their roots in Nucla, CO. Gordon helped his brother-in-law on the Cooper Ranch where they enjoyed picnics, family reunions, card parties, dances, gardening and rodeos.
In 1999 they decided to move back to the desert to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They bought a new house in Mesquite, Nevada. Gordon could not stay idle for long. Once he got his new yard set up, he went to work at the El Rancho Market in Mesquite bagging ice part time. This turned into an almost full time job that lasted 12 years stocking shelves and unloading trucks. His work ethic was still strong at age 86. He only quit working because the store closed.
Gordon is survived by his son Earl Brock, of Mesquite, NV. Three grandsons, Jake Torre (Vanessa) of San Marcos, CA, Joe Torre of Sitka, AK and Pat Torre (Sarah) of Wheaton, IL. There are nine great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, his wife of 68 years, Judy, and his daughter Debra. Graveside services will take place on June 17, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Nucla Cedar Ridge Cemetery.
Gordon was a fine gentleman.
Wow! What a story and what a great life this gentleman had! Rest in Peace
Gordon was our favorite Uncle. He hiked the Sierras with my dad, worked with him in the heat treating business, and lived in the same town (Las Vegas) for years. By the way, it was his older brother, my dad, who sent money home from the Navy for that cow. Gordon and his siblings lived a rough life when they were young,
I knew Gordon he was always so friendly. I shopped at El rancho where he worked. He was always willing to show me where certain items were. Will miss him.