John Ernest Prock, son of Ralph Wallis (Bob) Prock and Wilma C. Deckard Prock, was born June 11, 1953, on his family farm in Grovespring. He went to be with his Lord and Savior in Springfield, on March 23, 2023, at the age of 69 years and nine months. John E. had a gentle soul and a quiet spirit. When he was a boy, he lived, worked and played on his parent’s farm with his four siblings. He spent his time on the usual pursuits of a “country boy”, as he described himself, of 4-H, bicycles, and cars until he graduated in 1971 from Hartville High School. After graduating, John worked in different areas of southwest Missouri until he eventually settled in Springfield, where he remained until his death. He had several jobs over his lifetime, most of them revolving around the automotive industry, which was his first love. In his retirement years, he filled his time with drawing car fabrications, watching NASCAR, visiting with cousins, and researching his ancestry. He was a member of a local Christian group for several years where he helped with various functions and especially enjoyed the volleyball games. He always had a project car he was working on, like his two older brothers, and he spent time at the local auto racetracks. John’s quiet demeanor and helpfulness to others will be missed. In his words, he loved driving, being a friend and helping others.
John is survived by his daughter, Candice Prock, of Springfield; his stepson, Mark McKinney, of Springfield; his brother, Paul, and his wife, Melanie (Clowers) Prock, of Grovespring; his sister, Doris (Prock) and her husband, Daniel Cantrell, of Springfield; his sister, Jo Ann (Prock), and her husband, Samuel (Pat) Kramer, of Springfield; and sister-in law, Margie (Henderson) Prock, of Lebanon; and his nieces and nephews, Regina (Jeannie Clift) Kays, Janna (Clift) Vogt, Andrea (Kramer) Korte, Audrey (Kramer) Bremerkamp, Melinda (Prock) Williams, Michael Prock and Amanda (Prock) Staton. Those preceding him in death include his mother and father, “Bob” and Wilma Prock; his brother, Jerry Prock; his maternal and paternal grandparents; and countless precious aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held at a later date. Please check back for details. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shaddy Cemetery, c/o Danny Jones P.O. Box 69, Grovespring MO 65662. Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
