James (Jim) Keenan Rocks of Leesburg, Virginia passed away peacefully at Heritage Hall Nursing Home on Sunday, July 15, 2018.  He was born on September 10, 1925 in Patterson, New Jersey to Charles and Jessie Rocks.

In Jim's early years, his family moved to Concord, MA where he grew up and attended school.  Jim then went to Holderness School (Prep) in Plymouth, New Hampshire.  Jim's love for Holderness continued for the rest of his life and he was a significant contributor.  After Holderness, Jim graduated from Columbia College (Liberal Arts) and then from Boston University receiving a Masters in Sociology in 1952.  He then traveled the country with his future wife, Joyce Christine Sokel, and then married her on August 24, 1953.  Jim was one of the earliest programmers when computers were being developed in the 1950's.  He worked for ALWAK Corp as Director of Marketing for Applications and then as a Project Director for an Army Ground Combat Simulator (USADCDC).  Jim taught at American University as an Assistant Professor of Information Science and then worked for the FAA to do studies on 350 towered airports across the country.  In 1982, Jim started his own business, Micro Science, and developed control systems for industrial multi-compressors and parabolic solar collection.  He is a co-patent holder for a microprocessor based instrument for detection of aircraft icing which was 100 of the Best Inventions for 1984.  Jim also was the sole patent owner of an Autonomous Gardening Robot which he invented in 1999.  Jim also worked on many projects that he felt would help us improve traffic flow and the environment which continued into his late 80's.

Jim loved the water and sailed around the Greek Island with Joyce in the late 50's.  He continued to own a sailboat and sail the Chesapeake Bay for many summers.  He had an aviator's license and flew his small CESSNA when taking his family on vacations.  Jim was also a Master Bridge player and enjoyed playing duplicate Bridge, honored member of the Lucketts Ruritan and long standing participant in the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.

In 1972, Jim purchased Small Island Farm which consisted of property along the Potomac River and a 90 acre island in the Potomac River.  He farmed the island for many years and grew soy beans, feed corn, hay, onions and other crops.  Small Island Farm was Jim's passion and he was committed to leaving this very special place as a legacy to his family.

Jim is survived by 2 children, Charles Alexander Rocks of Mabalacat, Pampanga Philippines and Kristina Elizabeth Kibler and son-in-law Warren Kibler of Leesburg, Virginia, 3 grandchildren, Carl Jones III (wife Jennifer Jones), Charley Rocks and Christian Rocks, 1 great granddaughter Madison Jones, daughter-in-law Raquel Marigondon Rocks and a host of other family members and friends.  Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife Joyce Christine Rocks, his father and mother Charles and Jessie Rocks.

A remembrance for Jim will be held at 10 AM Thursday, July 26, 2018, at the Colonial Funeral Home. Afterwards, a celebration of Jim's life will be held at 11:30 AM at the home of Warren and Kristy Kibler, 13090 Small Island Lane, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.  Please bring stories to tell to share with friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to: The Potomac Conservancy (potomac.org), Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org) or The Alzheimer's Association (act.alz.org).