Bruce Oliver Hockaday Jr.

Bruce was born in Oxford, NC, on November 26, 1948 to the late Bruce Oliver Hockaday and Lois Long Hockaday. He was a 1967 graduate of J.F. Webb High School in Oxford and graduated from Croft Business College of Durham in 1971. After serving in the army as a helicopter mechanic crew chief in Vietnam, Bruce returned to Oxford where he fell in love with Connie Thomerson who he had grown up with in church. They were married at West Oxford Baptist Church on November 21, 1971.

The Hockadays moved to Cary in 1978. Bruce worked for AMP Inc. for 15 years as warehouse manager and then worked for Buhler Aeroglide as a purchasing agent for 28 years before retiring in April 2016.

Bruce enjoyed playing pool, working in the yard, swinging in his hammock, cheering for the Carolina Tar Heels, and taking family trips to the beach, mountains, and Nashville, TN. He loved to wear shorts and flip flops year round, even in the snow. God was first and foremost in his life, serving as a faithful member of First Baptist Church Cary since 1995. He was a terrific husband, father, and grandfather who supported and loved his family unconditionally. Bruce was actively involved in his daughters’ lives. He never missed any of their school, sport, or church activities and also volunteered as a chaperone with the Cary High School marching band. Most recently, the apples of his eye were his two energetic grandchildren who brought so much joy and happiness to his life. Bruce was the true definition of a family man.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 47 years, Connie Thomerson Hockaday; his daughters Jodie Hockaday Holbin (Troy) and Haley Jordan Hockaday Hufton (AJ); and grandchildren Aubrie and Ethan Holbin. He is also survived by a sister, Louise Hockaday Johnson; niece Suzie Elliott Clark (Mike); nephew Jeff Elliott; and many other extended family members.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 31, from 6-8 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road Cary, NC 27511. A celebration of life service will be on Thursday, August 1, at 11 am at First Baptist Church Cary, 218 S. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511. A burial service will follow at Wake Memorial Park Cemetery, 7002 Green Hope School Road, Cary NC 27519. Flowers are accepted and memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Cary and online to The Pancreatic Cancer-American Cancer Society.