John Hockett
John Hockett, 59, of Winner, S.D., passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center in Winner. Funeral service was held on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Winner. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation was held on Friday, March 14 from 5-7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m.
John Franklyn Hockett, Sr., was born in Madison, S.D., the son of Robert and Evelyn (Carpenter) Hockett. He attended primary schools in Madison and Pierre; Middle School years at White River High School and graduated from Winner High School in 1973.
He was an outstanding athlete and still holds track and field records to this day. He attended many Universities and achieved several degrees during his brief time here on earth. He held a Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Education from Dakota Wesleyan University, was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, and graduated with Honors and received his Masters of Counseling from South Dakota State University on his fiftieth birthday.
Continuing to learn, he went on to obtain several certifications within his field of human services. He recently achieved state certification as a Qualified Mental Health Professional, working the last three years at Southern Plains Behavioral Health. He also held membership with National Boards of Counseling in Psychology and Education.
John served as a minister in Mitchell, Winner and White River before retiring from the full-time ministry ten years ago. He also taught in the Winner and White River School Districts over the course of his professional teaching career. Since moving to Winner in 2004, John served as board member, supply pastor, and trustee in the Winner Church of the Nazarene.
Since childhood, John enjoyed a passion for the Great Outdoors. Many times he would recount daily summer treks along the shores of the Missouri River as a boy growing up in Pierre. In recent years it was safe to say, his love of the hunt threatened many a “Le Honk” in the skies over Pierre.
He became like a kid again this winter, so excited to rediscover the adventure of ice fishing. He dearly loved all things Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop, Scheels and, of course, the local gun shops and bait shop, always exploring the market for the latest in hunting and fishing tools that he had to save for. Nearly every free minute was spent hunting or fishing with his sons, brothers or friends. If he wasn’t actually outside hunting or fishing, he was thinking about it and planning for it. He was a crack shot who coined the original word, “skinnykadink” which meant, when you made the shot, you ran like crazy to retrieve your game.
To his children and grandchildren he was the most amazing fisherman, patiently teaching someone a newly discovered trick to catch the big one. He would always give his best attempt, in everything he did. Other hobbies included gardening; he grew the best tomatoes! He often confessed comical attempts at golf, maybe enjoying the golf cart ride more than the game. He also liked collecting. He had a love for fine vintage pottery and glassware and got a kick out of haggling with sellers for the best prices at antiques stores or jumping into the heated bid of an auction alongside his buddy-brother Joe.
John enjoyed nearly 40 years of marriage to his wife Rosemary Lou (Harrington). They were united in marriage by his father on August 1, 1974. He was her loving soul mate, sweetheart, protector and best friend. To his children and grandchildren he leaves a lasting legacy of loving God, loving others, and working hard, reminding them to always keep learning but also remember to take time to relax and have fun….enjoying the life God gives us.
John is survived by his wife Rosemary Hockett; sons John, Jr. (Mariah) Hockett and Joshua (Jodi Suzanne) Hockett; daughters Jena (Donnie) Campbell and Jodie (Jeremy) Davis; grandchildren John Franklin III, Adrianna Rose, Wyatt James, Cole Robert, Caleb Michael, Ella Irene, Zoey Lynn Hockett; Jacob Charles, Luke Harrington, Owen Bradley, Claire Anarose Campbell; Hudson Tyler, Dawson Joshua Hockett; Harley Hudson, Emmie Evelyn, and Hickory Harrington Davis; mother Evelyn Hockett; brothers Robert Jr. (Jeannie) Joe, Ernie (Kris), Jed (Cindy), and Rich (Amy) Hockett; sisters Sandy (Daniel) Mosteller and Anna (Daniel) Nesseth; brothers and sisters-in-law Nancy and Don Rathbun, Rick and Roxanne Harrington, Anne and John Brown, Mary Beth and Arlyn Lilley, and Holly Kantrude; and a beautiful host of nieces and nephews. He loved his big family very much.
John was preceded in death by his father Robert Cecil Hockett Sr., infant sisters Cheryl and Karla, father-in-law Marvin Harrington, brother-in-law Edward Boardman, Sister-in-law Peggy Hockett, and Paternal and Maternal Grandparents.
John was so greatly loved and will be so greatly missed….but some sweet day the reunion will be glorious!
Thank you John for a life well-lived.