Kermit Rockett of Rockbridge County, Virginia, died of a heart attack March 26, 2022 at the age of 86.

He was born in Red Oak, Texas to Lisle and Grace Rockett. He married Nancy Fisk; they were the parents of four children, Susan, Marjie, Ken, and Greg. After losing Nancy to cancer in 1972, he married Martha Hylton in 1973.

He attended the University of Texas at Arlington while working for SW Bell. He began his career with SW Bell and retired from AT&T as district manager of overseas rates in 1986. He and Martha moved to Rockbridge County upon their retirement.

He was a member of Oxford Presbyterian Church and was involved in several community organizations. He served as chairman of the Stonewall Jackson Hospital board. During his tenure he oversaw the sale of the hospital to the Carilion Hospital System. He served as chair of the board of the Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity, and was active in the Effinger Ruritan Club and the Palmer Community Center, helping establish the Palmer Ice Cream Supper. He served on the Regional Jail Commission and was president of the Lexington Golf and Country Club.

He was an avid golfer; he organized annual golfing retreats for friends, and at the Gisborne Park Golf Club in Gisborne, New Zealand. He was the first person in the world to tee off on October 18, 2011.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lisle and Grace; brothers, Chad and Randall; sister, Mary Ruth White; daughter-in-law, Drew Emerson Rockett, and grandchildren Matthew Rockett and Schuyler Emerson.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Martha Rockett; daughters, Susan Rockett and her husband, David Roberts, and Marjie Hemphill and her husband, Charles; sons, Ken Rockett and his wife, Debra, and Greg Rockett; 12 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren; sister, Evelyn Pearson; brother, Terence Rockett and his wife, Linda; and several nieces and nephews.

He loved his family and community. He inspired and encouraged not only his family, but many of the young people in the community. His was a life well-lived.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in Kermit's memory to RAHC, RARA, or the Palmer Community Center.

A memorial gathering will take place at the Palmer Community Center May 21 from 1 to 3 p.m.