Santa Maria, CA

Rodney Rocero was born at Fort Ord, CA in 1957. He joined the US Air Force in 1979 and retired in 1999 after serving his country for 20 years. He worked in the Emergency Room and the Medical Surgical Unit at Fairchild Air Force Base, WA, the 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Clark Air Base, Philippines, and the 30th Medical Group, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, where his assignments included Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge and Medical Group Unit Training Manager. He was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal. During his career, he also earned two Air Force Commendation medals and three Air Force Achievement medals, among other awards. Rodney retired at the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Santa Maria, where he won the regional Secretary of Veterans Affairs Award for Excellence in Nursing. He enjoyed martial arts, fishing, antique shopping, playing music, singing and dancing. Rodney’s primary love and joy in life has always been his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Merisencia, son Ryan and daughter Rachel, daughter-in-law Colleen, son-in-law Earl, grandchildren—Selene, Colette, Aiden and Evan, and his siblings Maribeth and Fidel Jr.