Rocky Ochoa of Safford passed away on January 24, 2021, at his home with his loving wife, his children, and his brother at his side. Rocky was born on May 14, 1957, in Safford, Arizona to Refugio Ochoa & Fidela Sanchez Ochoa and his siblings Ruth, Irene, Moses, Rose, Paul, and Armando.
Rocky graduated from Thatcher High School in 1975. He married Irene Romero on August 13, 1981 and they were blessed with four children; Paul, Rockie, Mark, and Luke and his stepdaughters Nanette, Theresa, and Brandy. Rocky worked for Phelps Dodge as a Mill Operations Supervisor. He later married Sandi Craig on March 18, 2020 and enlarged his family with his step-son; Wyatt Henderson.
Rocky loved having children and being a father. He also enjoyed hunting, playing sports, watching and attending sporting events and cruising. Rocky was a coach at football, basketball, and baseball, a Boy Scout leader, and a young men’s leader. He was definitely a leader, an adventurer and sometimes a comedian who was unusually lucky at playing the slot machines.
He is survived by his wife Sandi, his mother Fidela Ochoa, his children Paul (Brooke) Ochoa, Rockie (Josh) Schwandt, Mark Ochoa, Luke (Ashtyn) Ochoa, his step-children Nanette (Ben) Rodriguez, Theresa Martinez, Brandy (David) Montez, and Wyatt Henderson. He is also survived by his siblings Ruth (Phil) Merril, Irene (Wally) Foote, Moses Ochoa, Rose Marie Ochoa, and Armando Ochoa, 10 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and his dog Sam.
Rocky was preceded in death by his father Refugio Ochoa, and his brother Paul Ochoa.
Services will begin Saturday, January 30, 2021, at McDougal Caldwell Funeral Chapel. A Viewing will begin at 10:00 am with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 am. An Interment will be held at the Sanchez Cemetery. A live stream of the service will be held on The McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel Facebook page.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
