DAVID WILLIAM HOCKENSMITH

1923 - 2015

DAVID WILLIAM HOCKENSMITH August 16, 1923 - April 29, 2015 Born Aug. 16, 1923, at Gallatin, Mo., to William and Mary Grace Rains Hockensmith, D.W. attended Gallatin schools, graduating in 1942. He was captain of the football team his senior year. He attended Northwest Missouri State (1942-43) on a football scholarship. While there he met Lois Charlene Carmichael. They married March 23, 1943. He was called to active duty in the US Army on March 31, 1943. He served in Cannon Company, 164th Infantry, America Division, seeing combat on Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and other Islands in the Solomon's. He participated in the liberation of the Philippines and the Occupation of Japan. During his service he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, was awarded the Purple Heart medal, and numerous other decorations. Sergeant Hockensmith was discharged on Dec. 7, 1945. Dave was a longtime member and active lay leader of the Pickering Christian Church where he held at various times all positions on the official board. He was an adult leader in Troop 75, Boy Scouts of America, in the 1950s and 60s. Always in partnership with Lois, Dave farmed for 25 years and operated Hockensmith & Sons Seed Cleaning from 1960 to 1968. In 1965 he became proprietor of Hockensmith Electric, Maryville. Whatever his work, "his word was his bond." He retired in 1986 and moved to Kansas City in 1992. He was an active member of Park Hill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). D.W. was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Charlotte Hockensmith, Lucille Evans, Mary Houghton, and Olive Noah; his brother, Harold; and grandson, Philip Dana Hockensmith. He is survived by Lois, his wife of 72 years, sons David, Jr., and wife Julie, Dana and wife Susan, and Deon and wife Sheryl; his sister, Maxine Whitt. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Park Hill Christian Church, 6601 NW 72nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64151, with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in White Oak Cemetery, near Pickering, Mo. Latitude 40.463045; Longitude -94.8099695 Memorial gifts may be made in honor of David W. Hockensmith to Park Hill Christian Church, or Pony Bird, Inc., PO Box 190, Mapaville, MO 63065. Arr.: The Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville. Memories of Dave may be shared with the family at www.meyersfuneralchapel.com Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland, Family Owned and Operated. meyersfuneralchapel.com (816) 741-0251