James Dennis Bock

James Dennis Bock, 90, passed away April 22, 2024, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona surrounded by his family.

Jim was born October 26, 1933, to August and  Audrey  Bock in  Elkhart.  He graduated from  Elkhart  High  School  and  went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tri-State College (now Trine University) at the age of 20. He  met  the  love  of  his  life,  Joan  Markley  at  a  YMCA  dance and  they  were  married  August  27,  1954.  They  shared  a  full life for 68 years.

Though Jim had grown up hanging around the family “shop” on  South  Main  Street,  after  college  graduation  he  officially joined  the  family  business,  known  then  as  Elkhart  Welding and  Boiler  Works.     Working  in  the  boiler  department,  his responsibilities  included  the  installation  and  repair  of  boilers, often  requiring  him  to  spend  holidays  and  all-nighters  in boiler  rooms  restoring  heat  to  businesses.     In  1966  Jim moved  to  Bock  Products  where  they  manufactured  pick  up camper  jacks,  automobile  haulers  and  RV  transport  trailers. By  1969  Jim  was  involved  at  Bock  Industries  where  welded seam tube mills were manufacturing tubing and framing parts for  the  Mobile  Home  and  RV  industries.  Jim  also  became active  in  the  Welded  Steel  Tube  Institute  during  that  time.  In 1984,  with  the  opening  of  Mill  9  on  Mishawaka  Road,  the Bock   brand   became   one   of   the   steel   industry’s   major manufacturers   of   structural   steel   tubing,   serving   the agricultural,  architectural  and  transportation  industries.   In ​1988 Jim became President of the company and in 1990 the company was sold to Bull Moose Tube.

He  filled  his  retirement  with  a  diverse  roster  of  projects  and activities   which   started   by   getting   into   the   custom   rug business.  After  attending  a  seminar  in  Minneapolis  teaching the art of inlaid rugs, Jim built a business known as Bock Rug Works  supplying  the  RV,  boating  industries,  and  designers with his custom rugs.  In 2013 Jim passed his business along to  his  long  time  protege’,  Danny  Nisley,  who  still  runs  the business today. Jim’s  love  for  car  racing  started  under  the  wing  of  Joan’s father Harold, who also had car racing in his blood.  Together they  raced  midget  cars  in  the  1950’s  and  enjoyed  taking friends and family to the Indy 500 for many years. Wanting to advance  his  driving  skills,  Jim  attended  the  Skip  Barber Racing  School  at  Road  America  in  Wisconsin  where  he learned  to  drive  Formula  Ford  race  cars.  After  earning  his driver’s  certificate  he  became  a  competitor  in  Skip  Barber events.  While  participating  in  the  Florida  Skip  Barber  Series, near West Palm Beach, he unfortunately crashed his car and had   to   pay   for   the   damages.   Not   one   to   be   easily discouraged,  he  then  moved  on  to  the  Sports  Car  Club  of America   where   he   qualified   for   his   SCCA   National competition license. For two years Jim and Joan travelled to race tracks around the midwest where he competed in races. He  finally hung up his racing gear and turned his attention to other passions;    fishing in Florida and skiing with his family in Colorado.  He  enjoyed  seeing  his  young  grandkids  pass  him on the slopes.

After  buying  several  condos  in  Florida  on  Bonita  Beach  Jim and   Joan   settled   into   their official   “snowbird”   home   at Waterside  on  Fort  Myers  Beach.  There  they  shared  many memories with family and friends. Jim’s love for boats started with a 23’ Grady White which he learned to handle during offshore  fishing  expeditions  that  included  many  of  his  Elkhart friends. Jim and Joan were active members in both the Grady White Club and The Viking Boat Club after they traded up to bigger  boats.    As  captain,  and  with  Joan  as first mate  on many   trips,   Jim   organized,   participated   in,   and   always included   friends   and   family   in   his fishing   trips   to   the Bahamas,  Dry  Tortugas  and  the  Florida  Keys.      On  one remarkable  trip,  he  took  his  50'  Viking  to  Cuba  for  an  IFGA fishing  tournament.  Along  with  a  captain  and  four  buddies they fished  every  day.    At  the  end  of  one  day  Jim  bought lobsters for his crew’s dinner from a local at the marina and, while cleaning them, cut his finger on a shell.  By the next day his  finger became seriously infected and he had to be rushed back to Fort Myers where Jim was hospitalized for three days and  on  an    antibiotic  IV  for  a  month.  Again,  not  one  to  be easily  discouraged,  he  continued  to  enjoy fishing  for  many years after that. Jim   was   devoted   to   his   alma   mater;   proud   of   his longstanding membership in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and where  he  made  his  lifelong  friend  and  “Forever  Pal”  Rex Edmonds.  He  served  as  a  Trustee  on  the  Trine  University’s Board  for  many  years  where  Jim  and  Joan  enjoyed  their involvement   with   friends,   educators   and   students.   They bestowed  a  gift  to  the  university  for  construction  of  the  Bio-Technology   Engineering   building   and   in   2011   Jim   was presented with Trine’s Pillar of Success Award.

Jim was an active member of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce  and  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Board  in  1988. Members  serving  with  him  would  recall  his  conclusion  of meetings  announcing  it  was  time  to  go,  “Make  a  buck  for Bock”.  He  served  on  numerous  board  of  directors  including  the Bashor Children’s Home, The Better Business Bureau, the YMCA , Elcona and ADEC Board of Directors. Jim and Joan were  members  of  the  Notre  Dame  Snite  Museum  of  Art Advisory  Council  and  were  active  members  at  Trinity  on Jackson   Methodist   Church   for   many   years   where   they enjoyed fellowship in the Lord with their Christ Care Group.

Surviving   family   include   daughters   Christi   (Jim)   Harman, Denver,   CO   and   Jamie   (Jeff )   Helman,   Scottsdale   AZ. Grandchildren   include   Katie   Harman,   Denver,   CO,   J.J.(Stephanie)  Harman,  Aachen,  Germany,  Kaley  (Rob)  Taylor, Waxhaw,   North   Carolina,   Courtney   (Stockton)   Schultz, Scottsdale,  AZ  and  Madeline  (Nate)  Laidig,  Scottsdale,  AZ. The joy of Jim’s life were his 13 great grandchildren: Avalon, Harper,   Tatum   and   Quinna   Taylor;   Adilee   and   Isabella Harman;   Navy,   Knox,   Brighton   and   Merritt   Schultz   and Lincoln, Palmer and Kellen Laidig.

Preceding  Jim  in  death  were  his  beloved  wife,  Joan  and granddaughter, Mara Eileen Helman. 

Jim will always be remembered as one of the nicest persons anyone  could  meet.  He  had  nicknames  for  everyone  he  met regularly  and  when  asked  “How  are  you  Jim?”  his  reply  was ​always  a  gentle,  “I’m  nice.”    If  we  can  learn  one  thing  from this full life, it is that.  Be nice.

A  celebration  of  Jim’s  life  will  take  place  June  15,  2024  at Trinity on Jackson Church 2715 East Jackson Blvd. Elkhart,  IN  46516.  Visitation  will  be  from  10:00  a.m.  to  12:00 noon followed by a memorial service. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In honor of Jim, men are encouraged to wear their most festive socks.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Valley 16117 N. 76th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 or Bashor Children’s Home 62226 C. R. 15 Goshen, IN 46526.

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