John "Rocky" R Hett

Rocky’s astonishingly full life began on February 8, 1944, in Newton, KS. He was the son of Thomas B. and Geraldine (Manuel) Hett, and the oldest of their six children.

He attended both Aulne and Peabody schools as a young boy, and was a graduating member of the Marion High School class of 1962. He attended K-State briefly, saying he “graduated” in ten weeks, but in actuality he was dismissed after a tiny incident with a fire in the Delta Tau Delta house.

After returning home to Marion, it was strongly suggested that he find something to do, so he and his best friend, Tim Williams, joined the Army together. He served as a lineman in the signal corps, and was designated as an Expert Marksman.

He also served in the Army Reserve and the Kansas Army National Guard – his absolute favorite because he got to drive a tank and be a drill sergeant, something his children heard about often. The way he balanced his fierceness with kindness and great love was never more evident than when he was being a father.

Rocky asked for Shirley Jo Dale’s hand in marriage on September 6, 1965, and the couple were married at the Florence United Methodist Church on November 7, 1965. They were blessed with two children, Wendy Elizabeth in 1968 and Christopher Thomas in 1973.

Rocky managed to squeeze many lives into his time on this Earth. He was many things to many people. Husband, father, Poppa Rock, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and trusted advisor. He was a gas station owner, soldier, accomplished farmer and rancher, registered Hereford breeder, buffalo slayer, John Deere dealer and parts counter guru, and addiction counselor.

He was a Kansas certified hunting guide, slow pitch softball legend, big game hunter and taker of a record-class long-horned Kalahari gemsbok during his dream trip to Africa in 2000, purveyor of perfume and cigars in New York City, thirty-eight year member of the Marion County Drainage Board – serving as president most of those years.

He also was the proud yet humble recipient of a thirty-five year sobriety chip from his dear friend Allen. His commitment to his family and his sobriety lasted over forty-six years. He was also dedicated to a life of mischief in Marion – equal parts prankster, philosopher, and chaos consultant in his cherished hometown.

Over the decades, he grew into an extraordinary steward of the land, tending it and loving it from the time he was a small boy. He was a dedicated and skilled hunter and fisherman, colorful storyteller, local historian, entrepreneur, and, in later years, he set his sights on making a lasting and generational legacy by establishing Monarch butterfly habitat and permanent wetlands on his farm, the Carefree Ponderosa.

He and Shirley Jo received a Ducks Unlimited award for unselfish dedication and significant contributions to waterfowl conservation in 1990, and the Kansas Bankers Association Wildlife Habitat Conservation Award in 1991. These awards opened the door to his future vision for the farm.

His greatest joy aside from his family was the farm he watched over for six decades, and he walked that earth with reverence and respect.

Rocky never met a stranger his entire life. His quiet generosity touched many lives. He was the Swiss Army Knife of men, as comfortable in an elegant East Coast restaurant as he was gathering friends around his table at home. He hosted innumerable games of poker and mornings of coffee out at the scalehouse.

Rocky believed in hard work and grit, and delivered both with a level of grace, compassion, and kindness. His sense of humor and delight at “pulling a fast one” will remain legendary as long as we speak his name and tell his stories.

He became instantly unforgettable to his nurses and aides the moment he arrived for his hospital stays for his sparkling green eyes and razor-sharp wit, never missing a chance to tease whoever came near with a chart or a needle.

When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2023, he looked at the surgical oncologist and his worried family around him, laughed and said let’s get it done. He wrung over two more years out of his body, making sure to get his money’s worth.

Rocky is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Jo of the home; daughter Wendy Hett of the home; and Chris (Kim) Hett of Andover, along with his beloved grandchildren Gehrig Hett of Andover and Gracie Hett of Kansas City;

His siblings Bruce (Sandra) Hett of McPherson, LaVonda (Lew) Rothman of Morristown, NJ, Shelley (Tom) Stafford of Hays, Bill Higgins of Marion and his companion Mary of ElDorado, and Jack (Donna) Hett of Marion; and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Rocky gained his wings and entered Glory peacefully on Monday, July 21, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Teresa Higgins, nephew Nic Higgins, and great-nephew James Wyatt Higgins.

His family will gather with friends on September 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Valley United Methodist Church in Marion for a celebration of his extraordinary life. Ashes will be scattered far and wide across the country, mostly in some sort of explosive manner, and the remainder will be laid to rest at Claney Cemetery -where the sun can shine on him and he can watch the crops grow forever.

Yazel Megli Funeral Home is serving Rocky’s family.

Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Quail Forever or his favorite local non-profit, Wags and Wiggles Furever.

Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Rocky at www.yazelmeglifh.com