Charles Brian Hoke

He was born on August 12, 1953, on Long Island, NY, to Charles Henry Hoke and Catherine Dukes.

Charles Hoke graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1971 and attended Nyack College for one year just before joining the USAF. He served in the United States Air Force for 28 years, primarily in Logistics and Fuels (POL), beginning in 1973 and retiring in August 2001. He completed an AA through Community College of the Air Force. Later he completed the course work for a BA. During his service he saw the end of the Vietnam war, the close of the cold war, the first Gulf War and continued to support his country through peacetime. He received six meritorious service medals throughout his career, one of the highest non-combat awards able to be received. He continued his work in fueling operations at Charleston International Airport on the civilian side as a manager for ATS and then Allied Aviation, retiring a second time in January of 2020. Charles’ work was marked not only by a high degree of competence in his field, but in the way he led others with kindness and humility, mentoring, training, and coaching. He left a lasting impact on everyone who crossed his path.

He married Dara (Shoop) on December 5, 1974, in Minot, North Dakota. Together they built a life centered on their Christian walk with Christ Jesus. The Air Force provided the opportunity for world travel. They especially loved their time stationed in England from 1984 to 1992. Wherever they were, they built many dear friendships along the way. Charles and Dara shared a deep, tender, and sacrificial love for one another that will continue to be a testimony and encouragement to everyone they have touched. Charles’ greatest concern was always for his wife and that she was cared for. He quietly helped support his mother, Catherine, until her passing, and his in-laws, Paul and Rosalyn Shoop until they passed. Charles devoted himself to his family and friends. He especially devoted himself to his children. His love and care extended to all he knew: family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. They were all on his mind. He would be encouraged and glad when things were going well for them and concerned if they were going through difficult circumstances - always with care for them that we have rarely seen matched.

Charles attended Grace Community Baptist Church in Moncks Corner, SC from 2014 to the present, becoming a member in 2020. He served as a deacon, greeter, and nursery worker. He took on the book table ministry where he channeled his love for books and people. He enjoyed many conversations with visitors, church members, children, and Changed Lives Ministry guys at the book table. At GCBC he found a place to settle in, be ministered to, and to serve. He spoke constantly of his love for those at GCBC, his care for them, and gratitude for all the ways they ministered to him.

You cannot talk about Charles without knowing that he and Dara loved books. They built an extensive library on many subjects (his children remember going into many, many second-hand bookshops, especially in England). He enjoyed talking about the books he was reading or had read. We remember that many conversations would be interrupted by, “I think I have a book on that” followed by a rummaging through his books until he found the title, then leafing through it until he found the pertinent passage, or handing you the book to read (and probably listing off another 5 or 10 books that you also might benefit from).

Charles loved history, and this infused another passion: genealogy. He researched his family history as well as Dara’s, and oftentimes other people’s as well. He enjoyed making connections and finding lost relatives or artifacts that connected dots for himself or others.

Charles always loved athletics. He wrestled in high school. He ran cross country in high school and college and continued running until his knees wouldn’t let him anymore (always a regret that he couldn’t continue). He loved playing catch with his kids. He helped coach Timothy’s Little League teams. He spent a lot of time in his 50’s and 60’s doing an extraordinary amount of functional fitness (his co-workers at ATS and Allied can attest to this). He loved playing any competitive game; badminton, frisbee, corn hole. As grandkids came along, this love of athletics continued with them when they came to visit. Just a few years ago Charles would frequently take off on Timothy’s old bike and ride through the neighborhood for an hour or two.

He is survived by his Wife of 51 years, Dara Hoke; Children: Cassandra Tynan (Robert) of Niceville, FL, Kathryn Grant (Jared) of Church Hill, TN, and Timothy Hoke (Lydia) of Abingdon, VA; Grandchildren: Tynan - Matthew (Joanna), Christopher (Angelina), Sarah (Matthew), Laura, Hannah, Daniel; Grant - Nara; Hoke - Henry, Edmond, James, and Oscar; Great-grandchildren: Thomas, and one on the way; Siblings: Bill Hoke (Jennie), Dan Hoke, Robert Hoke (Rosalie), Cathy Woods, Joe Dukes (Paige) and brother-in-law George; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Henry Hoke and Catherine Dukes, his sisters Michelle Wilkinson (Kenny) and Irene Hanna (George) and sister-in-law Roberta Hoke (Dan).

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11:00am at 579 State Rd S-8-357, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Visitation will be held at 10 AM before the memorial service. Interment is January 2nd, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Beaufort National Cemetery 1601 Boundary St. Beaufort, SC 29902

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Changed Lives Ministry https://changedlivesministry.org/.

Carolina Funeral Home and Gardens is assisting the family with arrangement.