Joe Ray Ocker

February 1, 1931 - January 9, 2015

Greeted by his Lord and Savior and an abundance of family and friends, Joe Ray Ocker entered his eternal home on Friday, January 9, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Joe Ray was born February 1, 1931 in Rosebud Texas to the late Walter and Annie Ocker. Long -time resident of Rusk, Joe Ray and his wife of 59 years, Florence Latham Ocker, were owners of Ocker’s Affiliated Food Store, formerly known as Buckhorn Grocery and Market. Joe Ray served in the Army as a Military Police during the Korean War. After retuning home he met and married the love of his life, Florence “Boss Lady” Latham, and continued his career in the grocery business as a manager of the Weingarten’s Food Store Chain. The Ockers moved to Rusk in 1972. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Joe Ray was a very active member of the Rusk community and Cherokee County. His many involvements included the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, Rusk Quarterback Club, Rusk Kiwanis Club, The Independent Cattleman’s Association of TX, Cherokee County Go Texan Committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Association and the Cherokee County Farm Bureau, where he represented Cherokee County on both the state and local levels. Mr. Ocker loved the community and especially the children and youth programs. He served on the Rusk ISD School Board and for many years sponsored an annual community Easter Egghunt. He always looked forward to the spring when he could work with the Cherokee County Livestock show. Nothing made him smile bigger than seeing the hard working kids sell their livestock. Mr. Ocker was known for having the greatest candy isle ever and for magically pulling balloons from the collar of “his” kids that shopped in their grocery store. He loved to aggravate the little ones by lovingly confusing their gender. Some of his happiest and most peaceful times were working on their family farm riding the tractor, feeding the cows and working in the garden, but most of all spending time and supporting his grandkids. You could always find him on the 50 yard line or in a lawn chair behind home plate, no matter the weather. Mr. Ocker was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Walter, Melvin, Freddie and Darrell Ocker; and sisters Laverne Troutman and Ursula Maxey. He is survived by his wife Florence, brother and sister-in-law Judy and Don Ocker, sister Ann Nell Bilnoski, son Jerry Ocker and wife Anita, daughters Cindy Fulton and husband David, Lori Hassell and husband Ricky, Lindy Finley and husband Kenny; grandchildren Luke Ocker and wife Melissa, Jake Ocker, Kimberly Linder and husband Chad, Trent Fulton and wife Jorden, K’anna Fulton, Jody Moake and wife Calah, Hallie Moake, Hayley Kendrick and husband Jared, Kala More and husband Josh and Kasey Finley; Great grandchildren Nolan Linder, Tucker Fulton, Makinlee and Madalynn Moake, and Kaitlyn and Case Kendrick; as well as a host of family and friends. Visitation for Mr. Ocker will be at First Baptist Church, Rusk, Monday evening 5-7 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Rusk followed by Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic church in Rusk. Interment following at Salem Cemetery in Rusk. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, 760 South Main Street, Rusk, TX 75785 or to the Cherokee County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 87, Rusk, TX 75785.