F. Hockenhull

HOCKENHULL, Dr. F. O. - Answered the Lord's call on Friday, March 16, 2012 at McLaren-Flint. Dr. Hockenhull will lie in state at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 1226 Beach Street, and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Friday, March 23, 2012, with Family Hour from 6-8PM. Dr. Cullian W. Hill, Presiding, Pastor of Greater Concord Missionary Baptist Church of Detroit, MI and Rev. Larry Walker, Sr. Eulogist, Pastor of Oakland Baptist Church, Detroit, MI. Family hour 10:00AM Saturday, March 24, 2012 at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 1226 Beach St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00AM. Dr. George W. Waddles, Sr., Presiding, President of National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and Dr. Julius R. Scruggs, Eulogist, President of National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Interment Monday, March 26, 2012 at Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00AM Saturday. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” Psalm 37:23 This good man came into the world as the youngest son of Elihue and Delia Hockenhull of Altheimer, Arkansas. His steps led him many places and into many venues as he grew from a quiet son to a strong Christian man. The course of his steps took many twists and turns as he was called to preach at the age of thirteen, but thinking as a child that he could not have “fun” if he preached. He kept this to himself and began “running” from the Lord. During this time, he enlisted in the United States Navy, married and had three children. God ordered his steps when he attended Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in 1956. There, as a single man, he met his present wife, Marian. F.O., as his Pastor affectionately called him, confessed his call to the Ministry and was ordained in 1957 by Pastor L.W. Craig. His steps continued when on July 12, 1958, F.O. Hockenhull and Marian Washington were married in holy matrimony by Reverend L.W. Craig at Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Three years later, a son, F.O. Jr. was born to this couple. The Lord blessed this marriage for fifty-three years; the two became one. After preaching for seven years as Associate Minister, God once again ordered his steps to be call to pastor the Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. During this time he became president of the Michigan District Congress, a heart of the B. M. & E. Convention and was active in all phases of the National Convention. He became an instructor in the National Baptist Congress, teaching “The Superintendent and His Past.” During this time, he graduated from Detroit Bible College and took classes at Wayne State University. His steps took him to be called to pastor the First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church after six years in Detroit. This was truly a union from God. There have been forty-three years of harmony; forty-three years of steadfast teaching and preaching God’s Word; and forty-three years of love and follow-ship by those in the church. During his forty-three years of tenure as Pastor of First Trinity Missionary Baptist church, he became second vice-president of the Great lakes Baptist Congress of Christian Education, later serving as the President. He also served the Wolverine State Baptist Convention as Finance Director and as Director of the Pastor’s retreat. As God continued to order his steps, Pastor Hockenhull found himself accepting the position of Supervisor of the Administrative Division of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. Under Dr. Hockenhull’s leadership this division became the largest in attendance in the National Congress. As a result, four new divisions were formed from this one division. His steps then took him to become Assistant Director General to the National Congress Dean, Dr. George Waddles, later to become Special Staff Assistant and Advisor to now National Congress President, Dr. George W. Waddles, Sr. He leaves precious memories with his faithful wife Marian, sons Frank O., Roland, Donald (deceased), daughter Gail, sister Blodell, and many sons and daughters he has lovingly adopted as well as grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, First Trinity and the Christian Family.