Rock DeLane Rickel

Rock Rickel (60) peacefully passed from this life surrounded by family on Sunday, November 19, 2023. A memorial service will be held at Combest Funeral Home on Saturday, November 25th, at 11 am.

Rock was born October 11, 1963, in Topeka, Kansas. The oldest of LaDene and Virgil Rickel’s four children, he spent most of his childhood in Kansas before moving to Lubbock in 1979, when Virgil purchased McWhorter Tire Company.

Rock graduated from Monterey High School in 1982. He then attended Texas Tech University where he joined Kappa Alpha, studied business, and, most importantly, met the love of his life, Mary. Rock and Mary got married on January 3, 1987, in Dallas. They settled in Lubbock where Rock continued working for McWhorter’s, and they welcomed their two children, Audrey and Rock Jr.

Rock and Mary took ownership of McWhorter’s in 2003. Over the course of 19 years, they worked hard to nurture and grow the business, doubling its size and adding four new locations. Working at McWhorters was a rite of passage, with many of Rock’s siblings, children, nieces, children of his friends, and most significantly, his wife working together to make the business a success. They found joy in their work and built successful careers that allowed them to travel and visit their families. In April 2022, Rock and Mary retired, leaving behind a thriving business and a legacy of hard work and dedication.

Although he achieved great business success, his proudest accomplishment was being a devoted family man. He enjoyed spending quality time with his family, excelled at being present, and offered wisdom and laughter at every turn. Most of all, he took pride in his role as grandpa, known as “Jefe” to his grandkids - the laughter he provided will stay in our hearts forever.

He loved working on cars and had an extensive collection of projects going at any one time, taking much more joy in building the cars than driving the finished product. He was an avid cyclist and completed many endurance rides with his friends and family. Never one to sit still, he also enjoyed riding motorcycles, snow skiing, boating, and water sports. Some of our most beloved memories are with him on his boat at Possum Kingdom, blaring his favorite tunes.

Rock is survived by his wife, Mary; their daughter, Audrey Pendergrass, her husband Tyson, and their children Sawyer, Birdie, and Rex; his son Rock Rickel Jr., his wife Hanna Jane, their son Roscoe, and future child expected February 2024. He is also survived by his parents, LaDene and Virgil Rickel, brother Shawn Rickel (Kate), sister LaVon Tate (Stan), youngest brother Perry Rickel (Jane), and many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his honor to Hospice of Lubbock, who cared for him so well. Visit the website: give.covenanthealth.org and select Hospice of Lubbock Patient Care in the dropdown.