Joe W. Hockaday (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas—Tulia, Texas—Joe W. Hockaday, Sr., 81, died on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2020, in the First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Harold Drake officiating. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. in the Llano Cemetery Mausoleum in Amarillo. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia.

Joe was born on August 15, 1938 in Zebulon, North Carolina, to Willard and Lorene Hockaday. Growing up in a military family, he lived in many different states.  He was living in Alaska when he joined the Navy on September 16, 1957 and served until September 6, 1961. After his military career, he moved to San Jose, CA where he became carpet layer and began raising his family. He moved to the Texas Panhandle in 1966 where he continued laying carpet.   Later, he worked at TSTI for several years.  In 1990, when the Clements Unit opened, he began his Correctional Officer career.  He transferred to the Tulia Unit in 1999, after marrying his bride Denna Hannah on October 11, 1997.  He retired from TDCJ in 2004.  Joe also retired from the Army National Guard in 1999 after serving over 20 years.

Joe was a firm man with a heart of gold, who always had a joke to tell.  He loved the Dallas Cowboys almost as much as he loved his family. He did not like to be called Mr. Hockaday, instead he insisted on being called Kokomo Joe. Joe was truly generous, going out of his way to help others and would give the shirt off his back if needed.

He is preceded in death by his late wife: Lois Hockaday on September 25, 1995, his brother: Billy Hockaday, and a great grandson: Evan William Vaughn.

He is survived by his wife: Denna Hockaday of Tulia, 6 children: Connie Fontaine of San Jose, California, Bill and Linda Hockaday of San Antonio, Texas, John Hockaday of Rogue River, Oregon,  Donna and Teddy Zurilgen of Amarillo, Texas,  Joe Hockaday, Jr. of Dalhart, Texas, and Gina and Jason Grove of Amarillo, Texas, 4 step children Danna Keeter of Tulia, Jeff and Connie Hannah of Phoenix, Arizona, Kim and Ty Rogers of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Sherry Hannah of Las Vegas, Nevada, one sister: Bessie Calibrese of Pembroke Pine, Florida, 30 grandchildren, 48 Great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the First Assembly of God Church Building Fund, 325 S. Austin, Tulia, Texas 79088 or to the Home Meal Delivery Program @ Swisher County Senior Citizens, 619 SE 2^nd, Tulia, Texas 79088.

Online condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com.