Theron Frederick Hallock

Theron Frederick Hallock passed away at age 88 on November 22, 2015 at the VA Hospital in San Diego, CA. Born Oct. 1, 1927, at the start of the Great Depression, he grew up in Allegan, Michigan. Theron felt so strongly about serving his country that he dropped out of high school and lied about his age so he could enlist in the Navy when he was 17. He served in World War II and the Korean War spending time in China. On a trip home between deployments, he met the girl of his dreams.....Judy Romine Hallock. They were married in 1949, and moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he was stationed. They were each other's soul mate and had a fairytale romance throughout their 56 years of marriage, until Judy died in 2005. In 1951 with a one year old daughter he left the Navy and moved back to Allegan, Michigan. Another daughter arrived in 1952. He worked at Superior Dairy as a milkman and struggled to make ends meet. Although he never graduated from High School, he decided to take advantage of the GI bill and go to college. After being accepted at WMU the family moved into student housing and he worked full time at KVP Paper Company in Parchment during the night, attending classes during the day and studying in the bedroom at all spare moments with a towel stuffed under the door to keep out the noises of two young girls. He made lifelong friends who also lived at married student housing (Ivan / Camilla Kleinsteker and Dave / Carmen Towns), and with their help built the first playground on campus for their small children. He graduated in four years with a degree in Mathematics, and with his new degree became a cost accountant at KVP and eventually became the Cost Comptroller at the Brass Division of Parker - Hannifin in Otsego. He inspired his wife Judy to go to college when he graduated, and both of his daughters and all of his grandchildren also went on to obtain degrees. In 1993 after retiring, he and Judy moved to Green Valley, Arizona where they enjoyed a very active lifestyle and made many friends. He worked with Friends in Deed, and became President of their foundation. Theron had an indomitable spirit, and a positive outlook on life. He never complained, and made the most of life. A very active man who enjoyed hiking and golf, he walked into Mayo Clinic in 2000, and after a biopsy that went wrong he came out in a wheelchair. He never said "Why me", but made the most of what he had. He outfitted his car and motor home with hand controls and made several cross country trips. After Judy died in 2005 he became active with the paralyzed veterans and participated in several wheelchair games. He won medals in archery, obstacle course, nine ball, and bowling. He also enjoyed horseback riding at Therapeutic Riding of Tucson. Preceded in death by his wife, Judy Romine Hallock, parents Herman and Wanna Hallock, and brothers Herman Hallock and Calvin Hallock. Leaving behind his daughters - Jackie Morrison Patterson and Shay Hallock Weisbrich; sons-in-law - Bill Patterson and Terry Weisbrich; three grandchildren - Jim Morrison, Stephanie Morrison Duff, and Jocelyn Weisbrich and several nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed. As Emily Dickinson said "Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality."

A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 307 N. Webster St., Augusta, Michigan 49012 followed by internment at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Judy A and Theron F Hallock Educational Enhancement fund at WMU Development & Alumni Relations, Attn: Lynda Hunt, 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.