Michael Nardin Hoke Jr., 92, of Birmingham, passed away peacefully Feb. 17, 2015 at Fair Haven Retirement Center.
He was born Nov. 7, 1922 in Birmingham where he was raised.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ada Tarrant Hoke and Michael Nardin Hoke Sr.; and brother, Felix Tarrant Hoke Sr.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Bernice Gibson Hoke; sister-in-law, Julia May Webb Hoke of Birmingham; sons, Michael Nardin (Susan) Hoke III of Birmingham, Daniel McMillan (Gail) Hoke of Selma and William Allan (Donna) Hoke of Pensacola; daughter, Mary Lea (Richard) Roselle of Nashville, Tenn.; stepson, Jacque LeMoyne (Delores) Oswell of Birmingham; stepdaughter, Memree Stuart of Hawthorne, Fla.; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
In 1942, he enrolled in Auburn University. At that time, World War II was raging and he enlisted in the army hoping to pursue a boyhood dream of flying. During the war, he served as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater of Operations. At the end of the war, he served in the occupation of Japan, receiving his discharge in 1946.
Before retirement, he served as vice president of First Southern Federal Savings & Loan Association of Mobile in their Selma office. He served many years as trustee of the D.W. McMillan Trust & Foundation of Brewton. He also served on the water board in Destin, Fla. for many years.
A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Dr. in Birmingham at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, with family visitation immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Fair Haven Retirement Center, 1424 Montclair Road, Birmingham, AL 35210, or St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Daphne.
