Harold R. Hoke's Obituary
Harold R. Hoke, MD, 83, a former resident of Matthews, N.C., died on Tuesday, September 29, at his home in Uwharrie Point on Badin Lake, New London, as a result of Parkinson's Disease and its complications.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Fran Childrey Hoke; his children and their spouses, Virginia Hoke, of Cary, Candice Hoke (and George Taylor), of Cleveland Heights, OH, Reid (and Danielle), of Beaufort, NC, and Eric, of Cary; his stepchildren and their spouses, Steven Benson (and Debbie), of Monroe, and Jerry Benson (and Deborah), of Monroe. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Juliette Hoke of Paris, France, Trent Taylor of Cleveland Heights, OH, Oliver Hoke, of Beaufort, NC, Rachel Cousar of Charlotte, and Stacy McClinton, of Charlotte. He is also survived by his sister, Nell Alexander, of Salisbury, and his brother, Ralph, of York, SC., as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, John Ralph Hoke, Sr. and Ellen Swicegood Hoke; a sister, Edythe Haynes, and, in 1961, by his first wife, Getty Anne Horton Hoke.
Dr. Hoke graduated from Cannon High School, Kannapolis, before serving in the Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He received an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and then an M.D. from Wake Forest's Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1952. In mid-career, he returned to university to study law, earning a law degree from the North Carolina Central University School of Law while also practicing medicine, and then, in addition, medical malpractice.
A celebration of life service will be held at Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, 300 Pineville-Matthews Road, Matthews, NC, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 3. The family will greet friends following the service. At other times, they will be at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Tribute Gifts, Church St. Station, PO Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780.
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