John Stanley Hocker

John Stanley Hocker, age 82, of Grants Pass passed away on September 11th at Three Rivers Community Hospital, Grants Pass. He was born on November 17, 1925 in Bethlehem, PA to John S. Hocker and Ruth Geyer Hocker and was raised in Johnstown, PA. After serving in the Naval Air Corps at the end of World War II, he graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. In 1949 he moved to Los Angeles and married Mildred Scott from Johnstown, PA. After her passing, John married Libby Hocker in 1974. The Hockers moved from Southern California in 1981 and lived in Cave Junction for 18 years before moving to Rogue River and then Grants Pass.
John had a long career in the insurance industry in which he attained the advanced designations of Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter. His career in the Los Angeles area included working for large insurance companies as well as being a partner in small agencies in Santa Monica, Encino, and Canoga Park. After tiring of playing golf badly as a retiree, John joined Elmore & Spieth Real Estate and later became a founding partner in Oregon Mountain Real Estate in Cave Junction. John was a member of the Belt Masonic Lodge No. 18 in Kerby, OR and served as a volunteer on the board of the Illinois Valley Rural Fire Protection District for many years. While living in Cave Junction he was an active member of the Christian Science Society.
John was an avid reader and enjoyed writing his memoirs and short stories, many of which were published in a book called Mixed Nuts. He also enjoyed playing bridge at the Grants Pass Duplicate Bridge Club.
Donations in John’s honor may be made to Parkinson’s Center of Oregon, OHSU Foundation, 1121 SW Salmon St., Ste. 200, Portland, OR 97205-2021; or Wildlife Images, Inc., 11845 Lower River Road, Grants Pass, OR 97526.
John was predeceased by his parents, brothers, Robert and Donald, and his first wife Mildred. He is survived by his wife Libby of Grants Pass, as well as his sons Chris Hocker and his wife Deb Haws of Redding, CT, Dave Hocker of Cave Junction, and Bob Scott and his wife Jean of Ashland, as well as six grandchildren.
At John’s request, there will be no service. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.