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Leslie Wayne Rockow (known as Les or Papa Les) of Murrells Inlet, SC formerly of McGregor, TX passed away on June 1, 2025. Born in 1943, he was the son of the late Glen and Louise Rockow and the loving husband of the late Shirley Rockow. Les was a simple, quiet and hardworking man. He loved trains and watched them on the internet all over the world, nearly every day. He also loved airplanes, HAM radio, and a good ol’ cup of hot Starbucks coffee! A cowboy at heart, he wore his boots every day, tipped his cowboy hat at people he walked by and always had a sly smirk for someone. He always responded to his daughters with a cowboy smile and the words, “I love you too Babe”. He married the love of his life, Shirley, in 1963 and was with her until her passing in 1993. They had an amazing love affair across the state of Texas and together had a beautiful daughter, Regina. Les loved his wife and daughter fiercely. After many years of hard work and dedication, he retired from Texas A&M Experimental Farm in McGregor, TX and then saddled up his horse and became a traveler when his wife passed. The cowboy in him roamed until he met the second love of his life, Gloria Kornbau, in Murrells Inlet, SC where he tied up his horse and set his boots down with her. In the wake of losing their spouses, they found each other and created a beautiful story for several years until she passed with Les by her side in 2020. When Les met Gloria he was received into a family who welcomed him with lots of love and to his dismay, tons of hugs! Les quickly adapted to Gloria’s antics, karaoke serenades, loud dinners and beach life. When Gloria passed, he stayed in the home where they lived and still remained an important part of the family as a “dad” and Papa to all. Les is preceded in death by his parents, his lovely wife Shirley, his dear companion, Gloria and his step”son”, 1st Sgt. John Champion, Jr. US Army (ret). He is survived by his wonderful daughter, Regina Otter (Larry) and his handsome grandson, Lance Otter. He only one child with Shirley and he adored his baby girl, Regina. He is also survived by his second family of loving step”daughters”, Leslie Champion (Shelby) of Cape Coral, FL and Dr. Celeste McConnell (Nathan) of Southport, NC. Step”grandchildren”, Tori Edwards (Evan) of Simpsonville, SC and Taylor Edwards (Blake) of Fountain Inn, SC; great-grands: Delaney and Colton Rollison and his little train buddy, “Action” Jaxon McConnell! Les did not want a funeral service and would not want anyone crying for him. He lived a good life and would only want happy years and memories. In lieu of a service, do a random act of kindness for someone: Buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line, hold the door open for someone, tip your hat and smile to make a person’s day, give your waitstaff an extra tip to say thank you, or make a donation to your favorite charity. Les loved paws4people.org and the Amherst Railway Society - Preserving America’s Railroad Heritage. Papa Les will be greatly missed by those who love him. He was a one-of-a-kind, old school type of man. The world needs more Les Rockow’s. Following Leslie's wishes, there will be no services held locally. Please sign the family's guestbook @: www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

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Leslie Wayne Rockow

July 20, 1943 - June 1, 2025