Joel Patrick Rochè Sr.

Joel passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024 surrounded by family. 

 Joel was born on November 21, 1940, to Florence and William Rochè in Unicoi, Tennessee. He had 9 brothers and sisters. His Dad was also in the military and they lived and traveled many places. 

 Joel joined the United States Air Force on December 1, 1958 and shortly after was stationed in Greenland. He went on to serve 23 years in the Air Force before retiring, and then worked for the University of Northern Colorado for 10 years. 

 On military leave to visit his sister Marlene who was hospitalized in Albuquerque, NM, he met Mary Jane where she worked as a Nurse Assistant caring for his sister. Joel and Mary Jane were married on April 28, 1967, where Joel became an immediate Dad to Mary Jane’s 4 children, and went on to have 2 children of their own. As a family they traveled across the country, and were stationed in Sevilla, Spain; Colorado; Okinawa, Japan; and California. 

 Joel joined the Masons and became a 32nd Degree Mason.  He then joined the  El Jebel Shrine as a member. He was very active in the Patrol where he became Captain. Within the Shrine, he was in the Sports Car Club as Captain, the Legion of Honor, and the Divan. Joel served as the Shrine Parade Marshall for 14 years to which he received the status of Marshall Emeritus (long term Retired Parade Marshall), which he was extremely proud of as no one had ever held the title. 

 Joel is survived by his wife Mary Jane of 57 years; six children – David Lee, Gary Wayne, Pamella Sue, Dawn Ann, Janice Lynn, and Joel Patrick Jr; along with 7 grandchildren, and many, many great grandchildren.