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Bonnie Rockey: March 27, 1940-July 13, 2026

Bonnie performed in the Symphony of the Hills Orchestra in Kerrville until last year. Her love of music and the French horn were transferred to her many and successful students both locally and nationwide.

Bonnie Rockey, a longtime resident of Kerrville, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 86, in Knopp Healthcare and Rehab.

Bonnie was a person of many talents that she shared with her community, neighbors, and family. From an early age, she was a talented and accomplished French horn player, starting with the Women’s Air Force Band and later with respected positions in the Denver Symphony, the Tri-City Symphony, and the San Diego Symphony. At San Diego State University in the 1960s, she was the Outstanding Graduate in Music. Bonnie performed in the Symphony of the Hills Orchestra in Kerrville until last year. Her love of music and the French horn were transferred to her many and successful students both locally and nationwide.

In addition to her music, Bonnie was for many decades a fine painter of landscapes.
Bonnie was a devoted family member all of her life. She guided and encouraged her younger brother into a music career and, in her last years, spoke with him long-distance almost every day.

Bonnie is survived by her brother, Larry Rogers and her sister-in-law, Lea Schmidt-Rogers. She was pre-deceased in 2025 by her beloved husband of 36 years, Larry Rockey.

A service to celebrate the lives of Bonnie and her husband, Larry, will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, August 22, 2026, at First Christian Church, 1900 Goat Creek Rd., Kerrville, TX. A reception will follow.

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Author

Growing up in Southern California, Louis Amestoy remained connected to Texas as the birthplace of his father and grandfather. Texas was always a presence in the family’s life. Amestoy’s great-grandparents settled in San Antonio, Texas, drawn by the city’s connections to Mexico and the region’s German communities. In 2019, Louis Amestoy saw an opportunity to make a home in Texas. After 30 years of working for corporate media chains, Louis Amestoy saw a chance to establish an independent voice in the Texas Hill Country. He launched The Lead to be that vehicle. With investment from Meta, Amestoy began independently publishing on Aug. 9, 2021. The Amestoys have called Kerrville home since 2019.

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