Charles Edward Hoctor Obituary (2024)

Charles E. "Charlie" Hoctor, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at home with his family by his side. His last breath here on earth was met with his first breath in Heaven. The second of three children, Charlie was born on November 23, 1951, to Charles and Loretta (Taphorn) Hoctor, in Goldendale, Washington. Charlie grew up on a wheat, hay, and cattle ranch east of Goldendale. By watching and working with his father, Charlie learned at an early age, what a good work ethic looked like. He learned to do tractor work, fence repair, helping with calving, and all the other jobs that are required to keep a family ranch going as a young teen. His father's motto of "if you get one extra thing done every day, you'll always stay caught up" has been a part of his own work ethic. Charlie was active in sports, playing football and running track in high school. However, his real love was rodeo. He was a social creature and loved being with not only his classmates, but upper and lower classmates alike. I think the feelings by those classmates were mutual. Driving a hot Chevelle, probably didn't hurt either. After graduating from Goldendale High School, in 1970, Charlie attended Central Washington University, YVC, and graduated from WSU in 1975. It was at WSU, during a Black and Bridle Club meeting, that he met Cindy Roberts, his future wife. On December 9, 1978, they were married in Sunnyside, Washington. After farming for another two years, with his father in Goldendale, Charlie and Cindy moved to Sunnyside, where Charlie began working in the fruit industry with his father-in-law, Guy Roberts, at Andrus and Roberts Produce Company. After several years of being foreman and learning all the ins and outs of what it takes to run the day-to-day operations on the outside, he moved inside to begin a long career in sales. Over the years, he worked in sales for several warehouses in the Yakima Valley, cultivating many friendships that continue today. In 1983, Charlie and Cindy welcomed the birth of their daughter, Jodi. She was his mini me and a constant source of entertainment and pride. Charlie loved the rodeo world. He had a fair amount of success at bull dogging and continued to rodeo into his 40s. watching Jodi grow up with the same love for rodeoing with barrel racing, gave him much joy. When Charlie was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, his walk with the Lord grew deeper and wider. His desire to share his love for Jesus and the joy he found from his faith just spilled out to those who were around him. Charlie is survived by his wife, Cindy, his daughter Jodi Morris (Holt), his grandchildren, Emery, Palmer, and Clay, his sisters-in-law, Brenda Hoctor and Diana Hopper, his brothers-in-law, Scott Roberts and Chad Roberts, his nieces and nephews, Chad Story, Kevin Story, Damon Hoctor, Megan Hoctor, Michelle Hopper, Seth Hopper, Christy Perez, Deken Schoenberg, Blake Schoenberg, Alex Roberts, and Zack Roberts, as well as many cousins and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Loretta Hoctor, his sister, Rosemarie Story, his brother, Kenneth Hoctor, father-in-law, Guy Roberts, mother-in-law, Barbara Roberts, brothers-in-law, Clyde "Bud" Story and Mike Hopper, and his sister-in-law, Pamela Schoenberg. The family would like to thank Dr. Haque, Karen DeBois, and all the fabulous nurses at Kadlec Oncology and Radiation, for their amazing, up-beat attitude and care during our seven-year journey. You became like family. As Charlie always said, "I wish I didn't know any of you, but I love you all." Fred Hutch, you were amazing, keep up the good work! No words can fully express our gratitude and love for all the nurses and caregivers with Heartlinks Hospice. I'm not sure how we could have ever kept Charlie home without your help and loving concern. The one thing that Charlie would like everyone to know is that, yes, he lost his battle with cancer, but God won the war and his heart. Always remember he loved you all! A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 2:00pm, at Foundation Bible Church, in Prosser, Washington. A Reception will follow. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.