Martin Hocking

Martin was born 5/15/1931 in Arco Idaho to Thomas A and Clara V King Hocking. He went to grade school in a one room school house with all grades taught by one teacher. The ride to school was on saddle horses.

 He went to high school in Blackfoot Idaho. He and his siblings lived away from home during the school months. The lived in a very small trailer home and were their own cooks. It was always a treat to get to go home for the weekends.

 In 1955 Martin was about to be drafted into the army and he had the opportunity to enlist in the Air Force. Much of his time in the Air Force was as an autopilot mechanic on B-36’s. He received an Honorable Discharge from active duty in the United States Air Force on March 29, 1957.

 After the service Martin returned home to farm the ranch and help his father manage the cattle. During that time he attended Utah State University and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. During his time at USU he met Judith C Bills and they happily married in 1966.

 While married to Judith he worked for McDonald Douglas in CA and soon they came to Salt Lake City where he went on to work for Utah Power and Light until 1990 when the opportunity for early retirement was presented. This allowed him to retire and take care of Judy, as her health was failing. Judy passed away in 1992.

 Martin continued to live in their Centerville home and his love of nature and all the animals that lived in his yard was apparent. For many years he had a special relationship with a herd of deer that would bring their offspring to meet Martin year after year. It was one of the great joys of his life to have this special connection with these beautiful creatures. They trusted him so much that many of these wild deer would actually eat out of his hand.

 In 1993 Martin joined the Civil Air Patrol and spent many years serving as the Logistics Officer. In 1997 he married Vickie and they were married for 27 years.

 Asking Martin many times how he stayed so healthy into his “old” age he would reply:
 “I am happy”

A graveside celebration of life will be held Friday May 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Jordan Memorial Park, 10630 South 1055 West, South Jordan, Utah.

Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.