Thomas David Hoke, age 92 passed away on October 1, 2014 in Springfield, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Creek) Hoke, three adult children: Linda (Hoke) Marshall, Charles David Hoke, and David Alan Hoke. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death was his sister, Mary Elizabeth Burd of Phillipsburg, Missouri.

Thomas David Hoke was born in a farmhouse outside Phillipsburg, Missouri on July 17th, l922. He was the second born to MB (Moden) Hoke and his wife, Elise Maude (Stokes). He was raised on a working farm and he often said, "They had nothing but they had everything".

David was a unique man who served his country, community, family, and church with a lifetime of hard work and generosity. After college, David learned and worked in the carpentry trade before enlisting in the Army Air Corps for over three years. As a young 21 year old man he served in World War II in the South Pacific. After returning from the war he married Rosemary Creek in 1947. They were married for 67 years.

David was a determined man who built a thriving local construction company from the ground up. Hoke Construction, Inc. played a big role in building up the city of Springfield as we know it today. David''s company worked on practically every school and college in Springfield as well as surrounding areas at one time or another. Two of his most rewarding projects was the Evangel College Chapel and the Springfield Brewery. He built Social Services buildings and Head Starts in Springfield, Ozark, Marshfield areas and did historic remodels at the Greene County Courthouse. He build and remodeled churches, fire stations, school and college stadiums, Boys & Girls Clubs, department stores, restaurants, businesses such as Dayco, Smittys, Banks, Wet Willys, Springfield Airport, and the list goes on.

David was the first President of the Springfield Contractor''s Association and served three times in his lengthy fifty plus years of membership. One of the greatest joys of his career was having his sons work with him and forming their own company, Hoke Brother''s Construction. He was a lifetime member of the Blue Lodge (Springfield), York Rite (Lamar, Colorado) and Scottish Rite (Joplin) as well as the Shriners. He was honored with 50-year recognitions in these organizations. He held high the principles of the organizations and made many friends along his life path. He was born into the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and later, was a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.

David valued people and loved this corner of Missouri where he was born and raised his own family. He lived life with a joyful purpose that was not rushed or out to prove anything. If you asked him how he was he would reply, "Perfect!" He was a humble man, thankful for all that God had blessed him with and eager to share with others. He was a man of stories about his childhood, time spent in war, world travels, and most importantly, people. He lived life well and learned from experiences along the way. Every story had a lesson and a laugh at the end. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Visitation will be held October 9th from 5-7 p.m. His Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 10th at 10 a.m. with Military honors and burial following. Both services will be at Klinger-Cope Funeral Home at Rivermonte.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be in his name to the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield. www.bgclubspringfield.org