Obituary of Gary M. Hock

Gary M. Hock, age 68, of Santa Barbara, and formerly of Bloomsburg, Pa. passed away peacefully at his home Thurs., October 24, 2013 after a lengthy illness. Born in Bloomsburg, Pa. on October 27, 1944, he was a son of the late Horace H. "Tinker" and Thelma D. (Wood) Hock. He was educated in Central and Bloomsburg schools, Pa. The remarkable business career of Gary Hock began in the 1970s when he purchased a gas station. With the excess land from the gas station purchase, Gary developed a small community of town homes. From this humble beginning, Gary - with no formal training in real estate, excelled in a career that spanned nearly four decades. Throughout the 1970s, Gary operated a lumberyard and developed nearly two dozen small service offices for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By 1979, he was the largest builder/owner in Pennsylvania. Beginning with a new service center for Reliance Insurance, which he had already built to suit in Harrisburg, Pa., Gary was brought to Durham, N.C. in 1980. Opportunities were not just limited to Durham, however, with expansions in Charlotte, N.C. and Earth City - a small suburb of St. Louis, Mo. By the early 1990s, Gary began the iconic master-planned, mixed use development Independence Park, located on the former Teer Estate in Durham. As was the case in Gary's life, success bred success, and Independence Park became the focal point for development in Durham County - an achievement that still holds today. Beginning with significant engagements with the Duke University System, Gary diversified into the commercial office sector for what would come to define his career. Admirable medical developments included practitioner offices and nearly half a million square feet of mixed-use facilities at Hock Plaza. Gary also focused on regional charter schools, in which development is still occurring today. In a life defined by impeccable timing, Gary most recently provided himself and his wife Lyn with an estate home in the hills of Santa Barbara. In his relentless pursuit of quality, his home is a testament to this goal. While few will fully comprehend the scope of what Gary accomplished in his brief time, even the casual observer would be impressed by the attention to detail and quality that will show through in his work for decades to come. Gary was a thoughtful and generous philanthropist who supported a number important organizations and causes in California, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. While the physical accomplishments are significant, more enduring are the memories and bonds of friendship that were forged during Gary's unique life. Surviving is his wife, friend and partner of over 20 years, the former Evelyn "Lyn" Proctor, at home; four children: Michael P. Hock, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Dax Hock, wife Susan, Austin, Tx.; Tanner Hock, wife Mimi, Chapel Hill, N.C. and Michelle Hock, Santa Barbara; three grandsons: Sage, Blake and Tristen Hock; two graddaughters: Sabine and Tinsley Hock; three siblings: Terry W. Hock, wife Patti, Bloomsburg; Timothy J. Hock, N.C. and Dolores I., wife of Richard Nichols, Bloomsburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dixie M. Bardo. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg, Pa. with Rev. Dr. Gary D. Weaver, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomsburg, officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. A full list of the causes Gary has donated to throughout the years, along with condolence messages and photographs, may be seen and posted at www.krinerfuneralhomes.com