Louis Mario Hocker

Louis Mario Hocker, 88, of Birmingham died September 14, 2012 of a myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosed in 2009 which recently transformed to acute myelomonoblastic leukemia. He was born of American parents in Mexico City where he attended grade school and high school. Lou was trilingual in English, Spanish and German. Enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1942, he first trained as a radio operator and was transferred to Army Intelligence. While stationed in Birmingham and London, he survived Luftwaffe bombing. His Intelligence team planned the Normandy and D-Day invasions for which they were awarded Bronze Stars. Under the GI Bill he earned a degree in Advertising/Sales at the University of Detroit. He spent a majority of his career in the automotive industry as an International Advertising and Sales Manager. After Automotive he was involved in sales and marketing of chemical, carpeting and legal print products. For the last two decades, Mr. Hocker has served as an usher and Eucharistic minister for the homebound at Holy Name Church in Birmingham. For years, he taught English to Spanish speaking immigrants seeking education, employment and US citizenship. He also helped with the collection and distribution of surplus food stuff for food banks in the greater Detroit area. Beloved husband of Mary Ann for 61 years. Dear father of David. Brother-in-law of Eugene and Mary Jo Meso. Also survived by his faithful companion, Mia. Family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward (btwn 13-14 Mile), Monday 3-8p.m. Rosary 7p.m. Funeral Mass Tuesday 11a.m. at Holy Name Church, 630 Harmon at Woodland, Birmingham. Visitation at church begins at 10:30a.m. Memorial tributes to The Capuchins, 1820 Mt. Elliott, Detroit, MI 48207 or MDS Foundation, 4573 South Broad St., Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620