Roy Paul Hockett passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early morning hours of December 15, 2020. Roy was born on the family farm north of Laredo, Montana on April 6, 1929 to parents George and Sophia Hockett.
After graduating from Havre High School in 1947 Roy served one year in the Army. He then joined the National Guard, returned to Montana and enrolled in Northern Montana College where he met Mabel Flansaas. Two years later they were married and moved to Missoula, Montana where both Roy and Mabel received their bachelors degrees.
After completing college Roy entered the U.S. Air Force. During Roy’s twenty year career as an Air Force pilot, he flew 10 different aircraft ranging in size from a Piper Cub to the C-141 Starlifter. While Roy enjoyed flying the C-141 most, it’s notable that during the Cold War in the early-mid 1960’s Roy was circling Greenland in a B-52 bomber loaded with thermonuclear bombs. We can all be thankful that Roy and his fellow crew members were never ordered to drop their payload.
Roy retired from the Air Force in Fairfield, California, where he pursued his second career in real estate. While in Fairfield he managed and owned Dover Realty in Fairfield and Vacaville. He served on the Board of Directors of the Fairfield-Suisun Trade Club, and the California Association of Realtors. He was very active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of Red Cross, Solano County Fair, and the Welcome Home Troops Committee. He served as president of the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfield Lions Club. Roy and Mabel returned to Montana to be closer to their grandchildren where Roy was an active member of Helena Sunrise Rotary.
Roy shared his love of world travel with his wife Mabel. During their 68 years of marriage they made several trips to Europe, visiting thirty foreign countries.They also completed countless Volkswalks (noncompetitive 10K walks/hikes) both here and abroad.
Roy was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a life member of Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He enjoyed attending fund raising banquets of all three organizations and was always an active bidder during the auctions. Roy passed his love and appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors on to his sons and grandchildren.
Roy is survived by sons Brian (Juanita) Hockett, Glenn (Laurie) Hockett; grandchildren Jonathan (BriAnn), Marcus (Kara), Corey and Kelly Hockett; and great granddaughters Sylvie and Freya Hockett. He is also survived by his brother Gene (Sharon) Hockett and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mabel, and brother Robert Hockett.
The Hockett family would like to extend its sincere thanks to the staff at Touchmark and St. Peter’s Hospice for taking such great care of Roy in his final months.
No services are planned at this time. Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Health Hospice in Helena, Montana or Pheasants Forever.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Frank and Mary Johnston says
Roy was a wonderful and very knowledgeable man. I know he made the world a better place. He will be missed.
Claudia & Jerry Davis says
Our sympathies to Brian and Glenn and all the family in your loss.
Gary & Joy Novota says
What a life well-lived.Although we didn’t know each other well, we were all part of the same church family at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran. Our sympathy and special thoughts to all of Roy’s family members. Blessings to you.
Rev. Arne Bergland says
May you find comfort in your memories and the promise of the resurrection. Roy was a very special gentleman
Rev. Arne Bergland says
May you be comforted by your many memories as well as by the promise of the resurrection. Roy was a very special gentleman, he will be missed
Hugh and Linda David -Arizona says
Glenn and Laurie –
Just happened to see this in the Chronicle-so sorry for your loss. Roy sounds like a wonderful man. May you find comfort in the thoughts and prayers of those who care.
Ingrid Berdahl says
Uncle Roy was a bundle of energy, always upbeat and enthusiastic and fun to be around. I think he loved life and wanted to share it with others. He will be missed, but the impact he has had on others will endure.
Delores Rosin says
My sympathy to Roy’s family. Larry & I used to play whist with Roy’s& Mabel..shared meals in our homes and always enjoyed our time with them. When we all ended up at Touchmark, we shared memories of those times. Will miss Roy.
Nancy Meadows Trigueiro says
Our thoughts are with you and may you find comfort with your memories. We have wonderful memories of Roy at the Fairfield Lions meetings.
Joe and Nancy Trigueiro
Cyndi Bierwagen says
Roy has a special place in my heart. He gave me one of my first “real” jobs after graduating from Armijo High School in Fairfield, CA. He hired me to assist Pat as a part-time secretary/bookkeeper at Dover Realty (later Better Homes and Gardens/Dover Realty). The last time my husband and I saw Roy and Mabel was in 1999 when my husband and I stayed at their place in Helena while driving back from Yellowstone NP on our way home to California. They were such hospitable, kind, and generous people. We are so sorry for your loss. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.” And verse 26 says, “And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing.” May the “God of all comfort” bring you peace (2 Cor. 1:2-4). On one of Roy & Mabel’s many travels to Europe, they bought me a beautiful bracelet from Italy made with little tiny stones (if’s like 35 years old now) – whenever I wear it, I always think of them. I have so many fond memories of working for him (he didn’t like cigarettes – he called them cancer sticks; he liked his sign “buy land, they ain’t making the stuff anymore; he liked his coffee mug stained – I scrubbed the one in the office kitchen one time and he yelled “who cleaned all the flavor off my mug!”). He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. It was an honor to know Roy.
Bill Burton says
I was so saddened to hear of Roy’s passing. I admired Roy from the first time I met him. I will always remember our time serving together at Sunrise Rotary of Helena. I will always have fond memories of his joy for live and nature. I so enjoyed the many Pheasants Forever banquets spent wit Roy in Helena, Dillon, and Havre. I will always be thankful for his willingness share his hunting spots with me and for his generosity of inviting me into his home. His wife Mable could cook up a wonderfully delicious pheasant dinner! Roy you will be missed. The world is a better place because of you, and I am a better person because of you mentor ship. May God bless your soul. Your memory will always leave a smile on my face and a bright spot in my heart. Rest in pease my friend.
Carl Berdahl says
Roy and Mabel welcomed us with open arms whenever we visited them over the years. What wonderful people, very much engaged with family and the community. We will miss them!