Rudolph Carl (“Rocky”) Magnuson III, passed away at age 70 on March 10, 2023. He was born on October 31, 1952 in Orange, Texas.
Rocky was married to Geraldine Lucia on February 5, 1978, and was a dedicated father to his three sons: Rudolph IV, Chris (married to Kim), and Scott (married to Alayna). The light of his life in his later years were his grandchildren: Brinley, Hendrix and Micah.
Rocky worked at the DuPont Sabine River Works chemical plant for 25 years in Orange, TX.
Rocky was highly intelligent and was extremely talented in art and music. He was blessed with a wonderful singing voice and taught himself to play guitar and piano. He also played the Trumpet in the middle-school band and Baritone in the High School band. Rocky was a student of “music theory” and could read & write music. He knew how to play a seemingly endless number of popular songs. He also mastered playing dozens of well-known advertising jingles to the delight of listeners.
Here is a video link of him singing and playing “Shape of a Heart”:
He and his brother Mike, along with life-long friend Ricky Fletcher, formed several bands in the 1970’s, including “The Rolling Beatles”, “Briggin Habro” and “Renegade”, playing rock music, Beatles tunes, and songs that he wrote. “Salt & Pepper” was the name of one of the bands he formed with Ricky. They recorded original songs and sold almost one hundred 8-track tapes on the “Wash Wash” album for $3 each.
Some favorites that he wrote include: “The Lizard Song”, “Spider Spider”, “Crawling Across the Desert”, “I’m Buying a House on the Hill”, and “Dust on My Guitar.”
Rocky’s upbringing was rooted in a close-knit family that was a magnet to neighborhood kids who played at the Magnuson home on Osage street in West Orange, TX. Backyard football, endless board games of “Risk”, and adventures like Cardboard Box Tank wars and “Muggin’ Alley” were some favorite games.
Like his father Rudy, Rocky was the first-born son, and they also were both born on October 31st. The family always enjoyed celebrating Rocky and his father’s birthdays together on Halloween.
Rocky was the protective oldest brother to siblings Mike, Tim, Karen and Mark, who miss him dearly. Rocky’s great sense of humor and laughter will stay with us forever.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Jewel, and his father, Rudolph, Jr., and infant sister Judith. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Deanie, his three sons, grandchildren, siblings and many friends and extended family.
As we bid farewell to Rocky, we hold onto the memories of his music, his love, and the moments that defined his life. His legacy lives on in the melodies he crafted and the relationships he nurtured. We are heartened that he is no longer in physical pain and the belief that he is happy in Heaven, reunited with those that have passed before him. His memory will continue to resonate through the lives he touched.
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