Services for Rocky Agan, 72, of Knoxville, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville, with a luncheon provided directly following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to; Knoxville First United Methodist Church, Knoxville Hospital Infusion Center, or Hospice of Pella-Comfort House.
Rocky Wayne Agan was born on June 23, 1953, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Clarence and Florence (Finarty) Agan. He grew up in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School in the Class of 1971 then attended Ellsworth Community College.
It was high school where he met the love of his life, Debbie (DeMoss) Agan. Their story began as two young teenagers falling in love during the summer of 1971. On August 11, 1973, they were united in marriage and were blessed with two beautiful children: Jodi and Kyle. Here they began a lifetime of shared adventures together.
In his younger years, Rocky worked for Dick Rowland at Texaco, where the two of them created a strong friendship. Rocky continued his education at the University of Northern Iowa. There, in 1976 he earned his bachelor’s degree in Geography.
Following his graduation, Rocky and Debbie resided in Knoxville. Rocky put his degree to work when he began a career at 3M, where he served as the Transportation Coordinator. He dedicated many years to his work and remained with the company until his retirement on June 1, 2011.
Of Rocky’s many admirable qualities, the one that stood above all else was his deep and unwavering faith. He was a true and devoted Christian who embodied Christ not only in words, but in action. Rocky was an active member of the Knoxville First United Methodist Church, but his Christ-like spirit extended far beyond the church walls. He would do anything for anyone.
During his parents’ later years, Rocky visited them every single day, becoming a familiar and beloved presence at the nursing home. He formed meaningful friendships, offered companionship where it was needed most, played checkers with residents, and even hosted pizza parties. These acts done purely out of the kindness of his heart.
Rocky also dedicated much of his time to serving others through the church. He worked with children at Bible School, helped with confirmation classes, assisted with The Monday Morning Panthers, and volunteered with “Cooking for a Cause,” helping deliver meals to those in need and always volunteering to wash dishes.
Known for his playful sense of humor, Rocky was a natural jokester. He was always ready to make someone laugh and never hesitant to offer a hug. In their younger years, Rocky and Debbie enjoyed playing on mixed-league softball and volleyball teams together, cherishing the fun, teamwork, and camaraderie those experiences brought.
He had a lifelong love-hate relationship with the Iowa Hawkeyes, and though he was a loyal fan, his children can attest that watching games with him sometimes required sitting in another room. When he wasn’t cheering on the Hawkeyes, Rocky enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs and taking his kids to the Knoxville sprint car races.
Throughout his children’s lives, Rocky was a constant and steady presence. No matter the activity, he was there watching, supporting, and fully embracing his role as a loving and devoted father. He carried that same dedication into grandparenthood, proudly cheering on his twin granddaughters at track meets and cheer competitions alike. Every year he would even take the twins on annual back-to-school shopping trips that would always end at the cheesecake factory for dinner.
In retirement, Rocky could often be found in his shop, tinkering with projects while cranking up his favorite tunes. His most recent project was a 1950 Chevy pickup, soon to become a rat rod.
Once Debbie retired, the two treasured their time spent in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where they enjoyed walking out their front door to the beach, deepening their bond, and creating unforgettable memories together.
Rocky passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 52 years, Debbie Agan; Children: Jodi DeMey (Ryan McIntosh) and Kyle Agan; Grandchildren: Avery and Brinley; Sister: Cheryl Lyn (LTC Larry) Ward; Niece and nephew: Jennifer Osman and Col. Scott Ward, and many other friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Clarence and Florence (Finarty) Agan.