Julius Hocker

Julius Duane Hocker, 92 years old, a resident of Ponca City, OK passed away on July 5, 2019 at his home in Ponca City with family present.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respect and greet the family at Grace Memorial Chapel, 2016 N. 14th Street, Ponca City, OK from 2:00 pm to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2019.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, July 8, 2019 at Ponca City Assembly of God Church, 2313 E. Prospect, Ponca City, OK with Rev. Mark Bagley officiating.  Julius will be laid to rest at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 with a military burial at Ethel Reese Cemetery, Barnsdall, OK.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central OK, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74604.

Julius was born on April 15, 1927 to John Wesley Hocker & Ramona Snow Hocker in Enid OK.  He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers, John W Hocker, Jr., Robert A. Hocker, and Billy Hocker.  He is survived by his spouse of 74 years, Mary LaVon Hocker; 2 children, Billy Duane Hocker and spouse Sandy of Ponca City, LaVera Mae Wagner and spouse Russell of Pottstown, PA; 3 grandsons, Charles Van Natter, Jr., Duane Hocker, and Scott Hocker, 9 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren.

Julius was raised on the Naval Reserve, Osage County, OK and educated at Grayhorse Elementary School and Fairfax High School.  He married childhood sweetheart, Mary LaVon Cappleman on February 12, 1945 in Fairfax, OK and became a resident of Ponca City in 1948 after completing his military service.

He served the US Navy in the South Pacific Theater of War from 1944-1946 on LST 245 and LST 652.  He was awarded the Philippine Medal of Honor, Pacific Theater of War Ribbons. and received an Honorable Discharge in May, 1946.  He belonged to the LST Association and the American Legion Huff Minor Post 14.

He went to work for Continental Oil Company in August, 1948 for 38 1/2 years, retiring in 1985 from Conoco Phillips. He worked in the West Plant Crude Unit as a Head Operator.

He joined the First Assembly of God Church in 1948 serving in the church as Trustee, Deacon and a voluntary maintenance man. He was faithful in attendance until Parkinson’s disabled him.

He loved vacationing and being with family. He was an avid fisherman and relished eating his bountiful catches as well as sharing them with family and friends.  He enjoyed 40 years of fishing with his buddy, Truman Fisher, who preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gilbert, Renee and her team of nurses in ICU at AllianceHealth Hospital, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma and the several nurses and aides that attended him.