Rev. Earl Hocker

February 4, 1926 - August 29, 2017

Rev. Earl Hocker, age 91, well known Methodist minister, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Poplar Estates in Columbia.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 11AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Swango and Rev. Alan Black officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2017 from 4-8PM with a Masonic Service beginning at 7PM at the funeral home. Another visitation will be held on Friday from 10-11AM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on February 4, 1926 in Browder, Kentucky, Earl was the son of the late William Henry Hocker and the late Angie Ruth Abbott Hocker. He was a 1941 graduate of Hughes Kirk High School in Browder, KY and attended Candler School of Theology, Scarritt College, and Martin College. Earl served his country in the United States Army during World War II earning many distinguished medals including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Beginning in 1963 he began ministering for the Santa Fe Charge, in 1968 the Rich Valley Charge, in 1970 the Pelham Charge, in 1973 the Greenwood Charge, in 1978 the Trinity Charge, in 1981 the Enterprise Charge, in 1983 the Hustburg Charge, and in 1984 the Petersburg Charge. He retired in 1986, but during his retirement continued to minister part time in Columbia until 1998; and in all the many sermons he ever gave, he never preached the same one twice. In his spare time Earl enjoyed wood working, gardening, and reading, as well as, floral arranging and dancing as though no one was watching.

He is survived by his children: Cathy (Don) Barber of Columbia, Harold (Ruth McCorkle) Hocker of Columbia, Darrell (Sonya) Hocker of Oregon; daughters-in-law: Joan Hocker of Texas, Brenda Hocker of Santa Fe; siblings: Flossie Hocker of Browder, KY, Sue (Charlie) Harrison of Bowling Green, KY, Anne (Jesse) Hardison of Browder, KY; sister-in-law: Linda Hocker of Belton, KY; grandchildren: Jamie (Ricky) Reed, Janita Scott, Tony Peters, John Scott, Jr., Brian Hocker, Anna (Dimas) Rodriguez, Brooke Hocker, Niki Peters, Michelle Lovett, Cassandra Barnes, Franchesa Hocker; step grandchildren: Renee (Tony) Click; great grandchildren: Kirby (Mary Margaret) Reed, Katy Reed (Ross Barbier), Kinley Reed, Brandon Peters, Kristen Scott, Khloe Scott, Savannah Lovett, Emmalee Knowles, Patrick Peters, Kalia Thrasher, RJ Thrasher, Kalob Carson, Kole Carson, Karlee Carson, Lakota Rodriguez, Christian Rodriguez, Cale Lee Hocker, LaRue Bella Barnes, Robin Peters; step great grandchildren: Connor, Blaine, Allie, and Emery Click; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 57 years, Martha Frances McCoy Hocker on November 2, 2002; his daughter: Janice Scott Lovett; sons: David Earl Hocker, Barry Lynn Hocker, Jerry Newman Hocker; siblings: Bobby, James, Edna Mae, Jewell, Carl, Harold L., and Charles Hocker; sons-in-law: John Scott, Tony Lovett; daughter-in-law: Kathy Hocker; and sister-in-law: Nell Bailey.

Pallbearers will be: Tony Peters, John Scott, Brian Hocker, Kirby Reed, Rodney Knowles, and Charlie Harrison. Honorary pallbearers will include: grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the members of the Santa Fe Benton Masonic Lodge #111.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and friends at Poplar Estates and The Gardens for their continued love and care, to Bro. Steve Swango for his continued visits and prayers and to Keith Baker for his loyalty to the family over the many years.