Edward Wilson “Ed” Rock died Wednesday, March 4, 2026, following a rich life of 86 years. Born March 27, 1939, he was a son of the late James K. and Annie F. Harper Rock.
Ed grew up in Hillsboro, where he attended Oak Grove Presbyterian Church and graduated from Hillsboro High School.
Ed earned degrees in business and English at Glenville State College, where he met his beloved Sue McDougal, and married her the summer after their graduation. The first year of their marriage they lived in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and Ed taught school at Andover Junior High before they moved to Lewisburg, where they remained. Ed taught at Greenbrier Military School from 1962-1972, earning a master’s degree in Secondary School Administration from West Virginia University in 1969. He served as Headmaster during his final year at GMS, and “Captain Rock” was loved and admired by hundreds of cadets whose lives he touched, some of whom kept in touch with him throughout his life.
The second act of Ed’s career was spent as manager of the State Fair of West Virginia from 1973-2004. Ed was deeply dedicated to the fair; he was a warm, funny, effective manager to his staff, and as a born educator, mentored many younger people in the industry. He was well respected in the amusement business and was elected President of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions in 1994.
Over the years, while health permitted, Ed was a member of many community organizations and served in a number of capacities: on the Session of Old Stone Presbyterian Church; Lewisburg Rotary Club; Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors); WV Travel Council (Board of Directors); Lewisburg-Fairlea Food Locker (Director/Treasurer); Greenbrier Valley Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association; Standardized Patient in WVSOM’s clinical education program, and volunteer at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center.
Ed’s awards include WV Association of Fairs and Festivals Fairman of the Year; International Association of Fairs and Exposition’s Hall of Fame Award; WV Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame; Distinguished West Virginian Award; and the Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jane Ann Marshall.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sue; daughter, Mindy Smith; grandchildren, Jill Anita Smith, Kenneth Edward Smith (Katie), and Maggie Smith Berry (Andrew), great-grandchildren, Daphne and Halle Smith and Miles Edward Berry; as well as his nephew, Robert Marshall. He is sorely missed by his faithful spaniel Carly, who he loved to spoil.
Ed’s family was the pride of his life, and he was our dearly loved, loving and gentle patriarch who taught by example.
Ed’s final act of generosity was to donate his body to the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine to advance medical education and research.
Final arrangements are incomplete, but please consider honoring Ed by donating to the Alzheimer’s Association, Old Stone Presbyterian Church, or the American Lung Association
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2026, at Old Stone Presbyterian Church with Rev. Julie Olt officiating.
