Emory Candler Hoke passed away Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the age of 93. He was born in Montgomery County in the old home of his parents, Jessie Keisler Hoke and Hattie Florence (Bay) Hoke on September 16, 1917. He attended school in the Bays Chapel School until the 8th grade. He later attended the University of Houston and Sam Houston State University where he studied Industrial Arts. He was employed at a young age picking cotton on the Roads place, and in 1941 was employed by Reed Roller Bit Company in Houston. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, Company G, 149th Infantry where he received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal of WWII, 3 overseas service bars, Combat Infantryman badge 1st award, Honorable Service lapel button during WWII, and the Purple Heart Medal. He was a B A R man, squad leader and Staff Sgt. II. After the service to our country he was asked to return to Reed Roller Bit Company where he later retired as a machinist. Emory was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Joyce Hoke and countless other family members. Survivors include his sister, Minnie Bell Pearce; son & daughter-in-law, Christopher & Christine Cook Hoke; daughter & son-in-law, Karen & Michael Owen Hales; and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends. A visitation will begin at 9am Saturday, February 26 at Bays Chapel United Methodist Church, with funeral services beginning at 11am. Interment will follow in the Bays Chapel Cemetery, next to his wife. Services are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel. Emory will be deeply missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bays Chapel United Methodist Church in Richards, TX.