John Lee Rowland Hoeckel

John Lee Rowland Hoeckel “Huck” went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at the age of 83.  Born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 9, 1941, he was the son of the late Elizabeth Lorraine Bowers and John Rowland Hoeckel, and was also preceded in death by his brothers, Bruce Bernard Hoeckel and Stuart Frances Hoeckel.

Lee worked his entire life as an Iron Worker, connected the iron for several large projects throughout the United States a few being Surry Nuclear Power Station, North Anna Nuclear Power Station, Twin Towers in New York City, and back at home the original Benjamin Harrison Bridge in 1966, out of Local 28 – Richmond, Va.; Local 11 – Springfield, NJ; and a Local Union in Pasadena, CA.  Lee then became self-employed as a Roofer, specializing in Slate Roofs for Church Steeples, Commercial Businesses and Residential Homes.   In his later years he worked as a night Security Guard for Colonial Ford, Richmond, Va.

Lee was an active member of AA for 35 years, he loved his AA family, cherished their friendships and was an active encourager, he cherished watching lives changing and growth occurring in everyone.

Lee’s grandest hobby was Sky Diving.  He had no fear of heights, so Sky Diving made complete sense to him.  He logged in countless jumps between his clubs in West Point, Virginia and Carson City, Nevada.  He participated in several County Fairs, jumping into the fairs and landing on a predetermined target, just like walking out of the sky.  He received so much joy from this hobby.

Lee loved to travel across the United States and was able to call many States home.  He loved his heavenly Father and accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord in 2020; he greatly loved his family, talking about them any chance he could, he especially loved his daughter, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren.  Lee always ended his family conversations with “I Love You”.  

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie H. Edwards and husband, David of Prince George, VA; granddaughters, Summer Rae Collins and husband, Dustin of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Kelly Anne Gill and husband, Chris of Prince George, VA, and Shannon E. Boyette of Hopewell, VA; great-grandchildren, Caroline Hope Collins, Cooper Grace Collins, Trey Allen Gill, Addison Brynn Gill, Justeen Blake Evans, Dustin Wade Evans and wife, Amanda and Kayla Dawn Boyette;  brothers, Murray Hoeckel of Union Bridge, MD, Wayne Hoeckel and Christopher Hoeckel of Elko, GA; sisters, Barbara H. Lewis of Wrightsville Beach, NC, and Alison H. Fisher of Union Bridge, MD; and ten surviving nieces and nephews. Lee was also survived by his best buddy, Percy Millner and special friend, Ellie Russell, along with special friendships with the staff at Rosa’s Pizza in Hopewell.

A celebration of life for the man that never knew a stranger will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.