John Elmer Hokanson

John Elmer Hokanson passed away peacefully on August 24, 2024 at Peppi’s House in Tucson, Arizona. Born October 23, 1934 in Eddyville, Illinois to Elmer Eugene Hokanson and Audrey Georgina Stein, John’s family moved frequently during his childhood as his father worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp and the U.S. Forest Service. John (or Jack as his Northern Arizona friends referred to him) moved to Arizona in 1944 when his father was assigned to the ranger station at Mormon Lake and later at Mount Elden.

As the son of a forest ranger, Jack often climbed the tower to be on the lookout for forest fires. During his teenage years, he worked summers for the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter. Jack attended Flagstaff High School, and Arizona State College (now NAU)  where he met his wife of 57 years, Paula Schnebly, while members of the Shrine of Ages Choir. He received the B.S. in Education (1958) and the M.A. in Education (1962). Jack and Paula both accepted teaching positions in Winslow and had three daughters while residing there.

In 1963, the family moved to Tucson where he was the Director of Bands and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Flowing Wells High School until 1975. During his tenure as a music educator, he served as President of the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association. His influence on young people’s lives resulted in his receiving a Ben’s Bell in 2011 after being nominated by his former students for “influencing and inspiring a whole generation through his teaching and example.”  John also enjoyed his work in the non-profit sector as Assistant Director of Tucson Metropolitan Ministries where he worked on the city’s first housing project for the homeless. His deep concern for the homeless and hungry influenced his volunteerism through his church, Desert Skies United Methodist. On a weekly basis, he dutifully delivered items to Casa Maria Soup Kitchen and worked the church's flea market. He served on the Trustees and Missions/Social Concerns Committees, sang in the church choir, and was a member of the Men's Breakfast. After Paula’s passing in 2013, it was through his church home that he met his beloved partner of six years, Mary Jo Floyd.

In addition to Mary Jo, John is survived by his sister, Darlene Hanson of Cary, North Carolina; brother Colonel Dale Hokanson, U.S. Air Force (Retired) (Sonja) of Spokane, Washington; sister-in-law, Patricia Schnebly Ceballos of Winslow; his three daughters, Melody Richey (Bud) of Memphis, Tennessee; Celeste Lewellen (Tom) of Scottsdale; and Lyric Naquin (Gary) also of Scottsdale. He is also survived by five grandchildren, McKenna Lewellen (Michele Ward) of Baltimore, Maryland; Cadienne Naquin Hopkins (Greg) of Washington, DC; Hannah Lewellen of Memphis; Captain Grayson Naquin, U.S. Army (Emmie) of Oahu, Hawaii, and John Price Richey of Memphis. John is also survived by members of the Floyd family who lovingly accepted and embraced him.

A 90th Birthday Celebration and Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Desert Skies United Methodist Church, 3255 N. Houghton Road in Tucson. Attendees are encouraged to bring birthday cards honoring John.

Memorial gifts may be made to Desert Skies United Methodist Church (desertskiesumc.org), the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen (casamariatucson.org), or Ben’s Bells (bensbells.org).