Minden, LA

Ralph Laymond Hock

  A richly rewarded life in heaven has begun for Ralph Laymond Hock after almost 101 years of faithful and hard work on this earth. His dedicated Christian life here began on June 24, 1914 in Chickasha, OK. Ralph's next true and much anticipated life with his loved Lord and savior began April 12, 2015. Ralph's entire life was the art of work and learning. Setting the example as the eldest of five brothers, his first job was at the age of six years, delivering groceries and newspapers in Norman and Oklahoma City. He worked three jobs while attending the University of Oklahoma, earning two degrees in petroleum and chemical engineering. Ralph began a lifelong career in the oilfield in the 1930's and never looked anywhere but forward to the special world of the oil patch. Ralph served his country with honor, achieving the rank of Captain, first in the 630^th ordnance company of the U.S. Army in New Guinea, behind enemy lines and later in the Pentagon. After World War II, he was a petroleum engineer for many major oil companies. He was chief engineer for the design, construction, and plant superintendent of the CVOC plant in Cotton Valley. He then caught the eye of A.J. Hodges, who asked Ralph to assume all engineering responsibilities for his oil and gas production company. Ralph also had the privilege to assist Mr. Hodges in the design and construction of the fabulous Hodges Gardens near Many, LA. Ralph later started his own private petroleum and engineering service, Petro-Chem Engineering Services. His expertise has always been widely respected and highly valued in all phases of the oil, gas, and petrochemical industry. Always mindful of the future and independence, for his family, he purchased land near Minden and developed it into a farm, timber and ranch operation with many facets. This progressed into offices, industrial properties, warehouses, and retail businesses still in operation today. Ralph married Elsie Alice Krouse in June of 1939 and greatly missed her since her death in 2008 at the age of 92 years. They always strived to have a country home on the farm where all were welcomed and nature was at it's best. They had two sons, Larry L. Hock (wife Norma), and Bruce Hock (wife Betty). Also surviving him are grandchildren Bill, Bryan, Cody, Debbie, and Lisa, five great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Services will be held at First Baptist Minden, on Tuesday April 14^th, where Ralph and Elsie were faithful members and teachers since 1952. Visitation will be at 1 P.M. with services at 2 P.M. Burial will be held thereafter at the private family cemetery, Woodland Haven. Honoring Ralph, as pallbearers will be Johnny Addison, Jimmy Brantley, Rev. Bill Crider, Benny Sanders, Byron Trust, and Bill Weeks. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Freddy H. Cordova, M.D., Francis Otto Krouse, William G. Still, Cindy and Rebekah Sullivan, Jack Woodard, and all the grandchildren. Special thanks from the whole family to all the caregivers whose special gifts and love touched Ralph's heart and have kept him healthy and comfortable in his final years: Becky, Karen, Kay, Lottie, and Susan. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Baptist Minden or Louisiana Baptist Children's Home.