Palestine High School Alumni Association

11 / 19  1925  –  05 / 20 / 1990

Services for John Ralph “Jack” Hockridge 64, of Palestine, wil be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church with Rev. David Price and E. E. Blankenship offficiating.  Burial will be in New Addition Annex under the direction of Palestine Lodge 31 AF&AM and Bailey & Foster Funeral Home.

Mr. Hockridge died Sunday in Memorial Hospital aftr a brief illness.  He was born November 19, 1925 in Palestine, son of John Ralph Hockridge and Mossie Cordelia Fite Hockridge.  He graduated from Palestine High School in 1943 and attended Sam Houston State Teachers College.  During World War II, he served in the Navy from February 10, 1944 until March 8, 1946.

He was a vestryman at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and had served as church treasurer and grounds keeper for the last several years  At the time of his death, he owned and operated Ralph’s Drive-In.  From 1950 to 1952 he was office and credit manager for the former Firestone Store.  He later operated the former Boggy’s Restaurant and Green Thumb Nursery.  He also was a member of the Palestine Men’s Garden Club and was currently serving as president of the board of directors of the Anderson Conty Central Appraisal District.

Mr. Hockridge served at mayor pro-tem of Palestine and was city councilman from April 1971 to 1973, April 1974 to 1978 and April 194 to April 1986.  He was past master of Palestine Lodge 31 AF&AM, high priest of Palestine Chapter 10 Royal Arch Masons, Trice Illustious Master Willis Stewart Council 20 Royal and Selected Masons, past commander Palestine Commandery 3 Knight Templar, member of Waco Scottish Rite Bodies and Sharon Temple Shrine in Tyler and a member of the Palestine Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907.

He is survived by numerous cousins.

Source:  Palestine Herald Press