Ross Nelson Brockley was born in Valentine, NE to Ole and Margaret Brockley on Sept. 2, 1929. He attended grade school and high school in Valentine and graduated with the class of 1947.
Ross worked on Main St. in Valentine for over fifty years. During high school he worked at Kerr's Grocery Store and at McDonalds Clothing Store. After graduation he started working for Harry Babcock at Babcock's Men's and Boy's wear.
Ross was drafted into the Army on January 4th, 1951 and served in Japan then in Korea during the Korean War. He was discharged with an honorable discharge. He then went back to work at Babcock's Store.
Later, Harry Babcock bought Hooper's Clothing. Wayne Porath was working for Hooper's at the time and came to work at Babcock's with Harry and Ross. When Harry retired, Ross and Wayne purchased the business form Harry. Ross and Wayne continued to operate Babcock's together until Ross bought out Wayne's share of the business. Ross retired on Sept. 1, 1994.
He married Regina (Roggasch) in Valentine. They were parents to three children, Mike, Brad and Lisa.
Ross is survived by wife, Regina; sons, Mike and friend Deb, Brad (Kina); daughter, Lisa Spilker (Bruce). Grandchildren, Ross Michael (son of Mike) and Jacob William Spilker (son of Lisa): brothers, George (Jan) and Tom and friend, Charlotte; brother-in-law, Don Roggasch (Mary) and sister-in-law, Eleanor Roggasch as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and all of his aunts and uncles. Also preceding him in death was a brother, Dr. Robert and wife Dona; sister-in-law, Carroll Brockley; brothers-in-law, Dennis Roggasch, Ken Roggasch and, sister-in-law, Marilyn Crisp and husband Hal.
Funeral service for Ross Brockley age 87 of Valentine will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 AM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Rosary will be recited on Monday evening at 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will be at 2:00 PM on Monday, Dec. 19 at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Mr. Brockley passed away on Dec. 16 at Pine View Good Samaritan Center in Valentine.