More detail on this person: Jack Roger Audiss, 65, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, at Rapid
City Regional Hospital after a short illness.
He was born Feb. 19, 1945, at Gordon, Neb., the son of Jack Audiss and Ruth (Olson) Audiss. He
attended school in California, Ohio, Morocco, Rapid City and graduated from Lakenheath American High
School in England. After graduation, he returned to California to attend junior college where he
learned to fly.
In 1965, he joined the U.S. Army and went through Army Aviation Warrant Officer Flight Training for
helicopters. Following flight training, he served a one-year tour in Vietnam flying gunships. During
his tour he was awarded 25 Air Medal Citations, one with the "V" Device for Valor. He was awarded
the Bronze Star for valor in combat. When he returned to the states he was assigned as an instructor
in Primary Flight School at Fort Walters, Texas. Upon completing his four-year army commitment he
was honorably discharged as a Chief Warrant Officer 2.
After leaving the army he pursued an aviation role in the oil exploration industry in Alaska,
Argentina and Peru. While in Argentina, he met and married Christina Rocamora.
Upon returning to the U.S. he earned his Airframe & Powerplant rating with Inspector certification
and worked for many years in the fire suppression and aerial logging industry both as a pilot and a
mechanic.
Jack returned to the Martin area in 1976, where he engaged in aerial spraying and aircraft
maintenance services. He was an active member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and a
member of the American Legion Post 240.
He is survived by ex-wife, Christina; son, Jonnathan; stepson, JR Rocamore (wife, Kaylee);
stepdaughter, Maria Rocamora Suder (husband, David); father, Jack, and stepmother, Garnet Audiss;
brothers, Dick (wife, Susan) and Jerry (wife, Myrtice); grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and many
friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Audiss; grandparents, Alex and Peggy Olson and Bill
and Murial Audiss.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the New American in Martin, with Pastor Anne
Marshall officiating.
A memorial has been established for the Parkinson's Foundation and may be sent to Security 1st Bank,
P.O. Box 669, Martin, SD 57551.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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