Howard Jerry Hockstad

Jerry attended the University of Michigan where he met the love of his life, Mary (Poore) Hockstad. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Jerry graduated from Michigan in 1955 and Jerry and Mary were married August 27, 1955. They moved to Quincy, Illinois where Jerry was a radio broadcaster and then a dispatcher for Meckling Barge Lines where he helped move the Saturn Rocket down the Mississippi River.

In the early 1960s, Jerry and Mary moved to Elk Rapids, Michigan. Jerry taught high school at Elk Rapids High School. He served as the President of the Michigan Association of Speech Communication and as the coach of the ERHS debate and forensics teams; many of his students placed in the Michigan state finals. He was an academic who was a member of Mensa and Phi Kappa Phi. Jerry obtained a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Teaching in 1975.

Following retirement, Jerry and Mary moved to Sebastian, Florida. Jerry was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Rotary International. Once retired, he and Mary edited the community newspaper in Park Place (Sebastian) for many years, directed plays and other entertainment events, and managed the community tennis tournaments. Jerry also served as the President of the PPHA and chaired the Bylaws committee for the Homeowner’s Association. Jerry and Mary were honored to receive the annual Blue Heron Community Service Award from Park Place in February 2022, honoring outstanding community service.

Jerry touched so many lives through his teaching, community service, and wicked sense of humor. He often made up jokes, puns, and limericks and could not wait to call his kids to share, which sometimes took a while because he was laughing so hard he had to stop and take a breath. His keen intellect, kindness and sense of humor made the world a better place.

Jerry and Mary have four children – Howard (Louanne) Hockstad of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Michael (Deana) Hockstad of Bakersfield, California, Janna (Randy) Tharp of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, and Karen Hockstad (James Bemiller) of Columbus, Ohio. In addition to his wife and children, Jerry is survived by eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his sister Joyce Miller, her two children, and many extended family. The family will have a private memorial.

In honor of Jerry, we ask that anyone wishing to honor his life, make a memorial donation to JDRF (www.jdrf.org) with notices to Karen Hockstad, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, 191 W. Nationwide Blvd., Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215. And one last time for Jerry, GO BLUE.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Hockstad family.