John N. Hocking, 71, a longtime Mount Vernon resident, passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 after a battle with cancer.
John was born in Bremerton, WA on January 3, 1947, the son of Norman and Dorothy (Hogan) Hocking. The family later moved to Bellingham, where John was raised. He attended Shuksan Jr. High School and graduated with the class of 1965 from Bellingham High School.
Always a hard worker who wanted to make his own way, John was on a boat graduation night headed to Alaska to begin commercial fishing. During the fishing off season, he worked for Bellingham Cold Storage. A few years later, he moved to Mount Vernon where he worked for Skagit Valley Trucking. Soon after he began his career in real estate, first with Countryside Realty, then later earning his Broker’s license and opening his own agency, J&J Properties. John found his passion in real estate development. He was proud of his accomplishments and grateful for the life he was able to lead.
John was forever teaching his children and grandchildren the value of a dollar. He loved animals, especially his beloved dogs, Otis & Rose. His favorite pastimes were walks at Washington Park in Anacortes, and driving up into the mountains to enjoy the snow.
John will be remembered by his friends and family for his love of making a deal and living life on his own terms.
John is survived by his daughters, Rita Hocking-Kombol (Aaron) of Saudi Arabia and Bellingham and Cheri Wisdom (Brett) of Kirkland; four grandchildren, Lauren & Morgan Kombol, Mitchell & Sam Wisdom and several extended family members.
At John’s request there will be no services. Private inurnment will be at Greenacres Cemetery in Ferndale. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233 in honor of John. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Please share memories of John and sign the online guest register.
What a sad day it was when I found out that my friend John, your father, had passed away. I met John on the first day of school in the seventh grade. We had home room together and over the course of the year we became close friends and remained close friends all of these years. Whenever we would run into each other it would seem as if we had just seen each other yesterday. Every time I thought of touching base he would say he had the same thought. During our phone calls we could talk about anything family, friends,the world problems (which we thought we had all of the answers) and would end up laughing at ourselves. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. He was a good friend. The last call I made I got his voicemail but no return call. Part of me is gone. I miss him, I will always miss him.
Vaya Con Dios my friend.
I’m sorry to learn of Johnspassing. I met John while we were attending Shuksan Junior High and later, BHS. John was fun, friendly and always smiling. God bless you with many happy memories of your Dad.
Very Sorry to hear about the passing of Your Father – John, John and I were very close friends in high school and for a few years after we graduated. I was on that same boat, graduation night heading for Alaska as I caught a ride with John and our friend Warren Taylor. I had a job lined up with another boat when we got to Petersburg AK. After I went in the Service I started losing contact with John and I think the last time I had contact was back in about 1985 when My wife and I divorced. I have many fond memories growing up with John, we had a lot of fun times together chasing girls over at Friday Harbor and cruising all around Bellingham in his 1953 Ford Fairlane. There were a couple years after we both married that we, along with our wife’s still got together once in awhile. John will be greatly missed by me, but the memory of him with that big smile will always be with me.
I have two polaroid pictures of John that I can attach to an e-mail if either of the girls would like to call me at 360-201-3773 and I will send it too them.