Loranza Rooker's Obituary
In Loving Memory
Loranza Rooker
Sunrise October 18, 1936 to Sunset April 9, 2016
Loranza Rooker was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 18, 1936 to Jerry and Mattie Anne Rooker. His parents passed away at an early age and he was raised by his loving grandmother Fannie. He was the oldest of 4 siblings. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from St. Charles High School and Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He loved football and loved to brag about the Buckeyes. He served in the United States Army and was a stationed in Hawaii. He married the love of his life, Janis Rooker and their love was a true love story as all who knew them watched it unfold in front of their eyes. The two had a deep love and respect for one another. Mr. Rooker was employed at Western Electric and retired from Alcatel Lucent after 30 years as Director of Telecommunications Technologies. He and his wife travelled the world and his favorite travel destination was Marina Del Rey, California because he loved the ocean. He and his wife retired in Lewes, DE to be near the beach.
Loranza had a passion for life and shared his wisdom with all that he encountered. He was charismatic, and a true leader and visionary. He loved spending time with his children and family. He was a jazz buff and his favorite artists were Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane and Sara Vaughn. He even infused his love and knowledge of jazz into his family and friends. His favorite hobbies were photography, cooking, watching westerns, wine tasting, sipping Single Barrel Jack Daniels, gardening, painting, creating wood sculptures, and discussing world events. He made the best broccoli soup and had an infectious laugh. His favorite saying was “It is what it is make the best of it!”
He received many awards in his professional career and was the leader and organizer for the National Alliance of Business Persons for 8 years traveling around the country recruiting promising young professionals acting as liaison for the business sector and potential hirees. While in the Army he received The Good Conduct Medal and was cited as an Expert Marksman and Sharpshooter.
He was a member of the Sussex County Parkinson’s Education and Support Group.
On April 9, 2016, after a 9 year battle with Parkinson Disease, Loranza passed away at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, Delaware in the early morning hours surrounded by his loving wife, children and sisters-in-law. He was 79 year of age. The day before he departed this life, his wife, Janis, looked out the window while sitting with Loranza to see a beautiful rainbow and said “look at what my baby sent me”.
Loranza Rooker is survived by his loving wife, Janis Rooker, and children: Brent, (Wendy) of Columbia, MD, Brant Lamont of Washington, DC, Eric, of Seattle, WA and Kelly Daniels (Peter), of Reisterstown, MD; Grandchildren Bryce, Giselle, Skylar, Brant Jr. Maliyah, Dominic, Dimitri and Tyisha. Other loved ones include brother Herman Rooker, sisters-in-law: Carolyn Vaughan, Elvie Younger and Francine Taylor as well as brothers-in-law: H. Stanton Taylor, James Larry Vaughan, John Younger and Guy Lucas.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Mattie Anne Rooker, Grandmother Fannie, and Sisters Theodosha Walker and Loretta. He also leaves to cherish a host of nieces, nephews and close family friends who loved him dearly and will always miss him.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy. Lewes, DE 19958, where friends may visit beginning at 1:00 PM.
Donations in his honor may be made to the Sussex County Parkinson’s Education and Support Group, P.O. Box 56, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please sign Mr. Rooker's online guestbook located on this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED BY 3 PM, FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 TO PARSELL FUNERAL HOMES, LEWES, DE.
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