Lewis Edward Hockridge age 104, of Carrollton, Mo., passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 16, 2019, with his beloved family by his side.
He was the oldest of four children born to David N. and Mary Rose (Hall) Hockridge, on May 21, 1915, in Harrison County, Mo. Lewis attended several country schools and graduated from Gillman City High School in 1930. In 1939, Lewis moved from Bethany to Carrollton with his brother D.W. who was employed with J.C.Penney, and in the spring of 1940, he began working for Standley Funeral Home. In 1941 Lewis joined the Carrollton United Methodist Church where over the years he held many offices from Trustee Chairman to teaching Sunday school and singing in the church choir.
On March 29, 1941, he married Myrtle Mae Fergason and they lived in the apartment above the funeral home until April of 1942. They moved to Kansas City, Kan. where he took a job at the B-52 Bomber plant. On September 23, 1942, Lewis enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a Sergeant at the Marana Air Force Base as an airplane mechanic in Arizona until 1946, when he was honorably discharged. Lewis and all three of his brothers served in WWII at the same time.
In1949, he and Myrtle Mae purchased a farm in Carroll County and lived in the original farmhouse until 1967, when they built their new home. He began farming full time with his wife by his side raising row crops, Black Angus, feeder calves, as well as a farrow to finish hog operation. They liked working in their large garden and orchard, and he was always amazed at the many changes he had seen take place at the farm over the sixty-seven years he had lived there. Besides farming, he helped build nineteen houses in Carrollton and did numerous home repairs while working alongside Robert Warren. When their two daughters, Vicki and Cynthia, were younger, Lewis and Myrtle Mae were very active in Girl Scouts. Many troops in Carrollton fondly remember going to “Day Camp” out on their farm known as “Hidden Valley”.
He enjoyed fishing, reading his daily devotionals, and spending time with his family. Lewis was a faithful Christian, and a sweet-spirited, gentleman who leaves a tremendous legacy for his family to cherish.
Lewis is survived by his daughters, Vicki Kohler and husband Glenn, of Carrollton, Mo., and Cynthia Wiard, of Carrollton, Mo.; and one granddaughter, Natalie Finke Heisner, of Columbia, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Mary Rose Hockridge; and three brothers D.W., Bill, and Lolarea.
Please join the family as they receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Bittiker Funeral Home, 1201 North 65 Highway, Carrollton, Missouri.
Funeral service was June 22, 2019, at Bittiker Funeral Home, 1201 North 65 Highway, Carrollton, Mo., with Reverend Anselm Williams officiating.
The Patriot Guard Riders will led the funeral procession to Carroll Memory Gardens, Carrollton, Mo.
Full Military Honors was provided by Pence-Lovell-England Post #1773 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the United States Air Force.
For those who would like to make a memorial contribution, the family respectfully respects they be made to the United Methodist Church or V.F.W. Post #1773. They may be left at or mailed to Bittiker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 223, Carrollton, Missouri, 64633. Please share your condolences and memories with the family by visiting www.bittikerfuneralhomes.com and click on the obituaries link.