James Dorset Hocker

1934 - 2022

James Dorset Hocker

James Dorset "Jim" Hocker was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the 100th day of the year (April 10, 1934). He was the son of Dorset Hocker and Clara Belle Miller. He was a proud Tulsan who spent time in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma while his father was deployed during WWII. Upon returning from the Pacific, his father resumed his work at Oklahoma Natural Gas and the family lived in Broken Arrow until a transfer to Tulsa. Jim graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1952. He was a hard worker. His first job was sweeping classrooms for seven cents a room. At ten, he got his first paper route and he continued to work for the Tulsa World until his sophomore year at the University of Tulsa. In 1954, Jim left TU to attend the United States Naval Academy. He was a very proud member of the class of '58. The cry "58 is Great" resounded through the Hocker household until silenced by death. The echoes of "Beat Army" are still heard.

While at the Naval Academy, Jim met a beautiful girl from Mississippi on a blind date. They married six months after graduation. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. A tour in Korea was followed by graduate school where he obtained a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona. In 1971 he was deployed to Vietnam. During this time he received the Bronze Star. While in the military he became a father to Elizabeth Carroll, Andrew Dorset, Clara Murphy and Mary James. He retired after 20 years of honorable service. His last duty station was Tokyo, Japan. Retirement allowed him to continue his education. In 1980 he received his Juris Doctorate from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He and the family relocated to Tulsa and Jim spent the next 15 years with Transok Pipeline Company. He was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church. He "retired" again in 1996 and dedicated the rest of his life to his wife and their adventures. "After all," he used to say "she followed me around for the first thirty-five years; I can follow her around for the next 35 years!" He and Mary Elsa moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi where they lived for 21 years before relocating to Niceville, Florida. Their final port of call was Beaufort, South Carolina. He and Mary Elsa were married for 63 years!

Jim Hocker had a vibrant personality and had a smile as "large as the Oklahoma sky." His sense of humor was legendary and he was enthusiastic about everything! Whether watching the Army Navy game, attending the Rose Bowl parade to see a beloved granddaughter perform or sitting through Science Fair award ceremonies for his grandchildren, he was all in!

Jim was a consummate racquetball player and he was particularly known for his ability to "finesse" points. His quick wit kept everyone on their toes.

He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was a rare and unique man. Generally, there are two types of people in the world, those who see the cup as half full or half empty. Then, there was Jim Hocker. He was thrilled to have a cup, and all the things you could do with it!

James Dorset Hocker is survived by his wife Mary Elsa and his daughters Elizabeth Carroll (Robert Melgaard), Clara (Brian Miles PhD.), Mary James (Col. R. Dirk Cooper, USMC retired), his son Andrew Dorset, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Louise (Carl McIlwain PhD) of La Jolla, California.

He will be interred at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, Maryland on July 6, 2022.

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