Horace G. Hill IV

Hoke grew up in Los Altos, California and as a youth he developed his passion for art, music, tennis and…sarcasm. Despite the many, shall we saaay… distractions, the handsome, anti-authority Hoke of the 70s tended to encounter, he graduated from Los Altos High School in 1977 and proceeded to go on and nab a BS from the University of Denver in hotel/restaurant management. Using this degree he pursued restaurant management, and living-it-up, for the next few years. Following his restaurant career, he eventually landed in Galveston,Texas with his then wife, Lesley and together they made two beautiful babies.

Hoke is survived by the 2 abovementioned babies he made. Heather Hill Peterek, married to Ben Peterek, gave GeePaw two beautiful grand children: Townes Crawford (AKA T-bone according to Hoke), and our angel Daisy Ruth.

Emily Hill Elfstrom just recently wed Marr Elfstrom and while Hoke was not there physically, his spirit was felt by all in attendance. His presence was really felt when all attendees gathered and listened lovingly as his touching tribute song was played – Gin and Juice by Snoop Doggy Dogg (one of Hokes all time faves).

Hoke is also survived by mother, Patricia George, three sisters; Meredith DuHamel, Holly Lazzarini (Rob Lazzarini), and Jennifer Hill, plus six beautiful nieces and nephews – Derek and Andrew Duhamel, Cady and Nick Lazzarini, and Ryan and Angela Teodoro.

He is preceded in death by his father, Horace G.Hill, III, his stepfather, Neil George, his granddaughter, Daisy Ruth Peterek, and niece Markley Duhamel.

In 2005, following many years of employment with Houston wine and beer distributors, life brought Hoke to his employment at the Memorial Park Tennis Center. It's cyclically poetic that his life circled back to tennis after an almost 30 year break from it, his childhood love.

Hoke also loved music (the man was walking music history book), cooking (he could cook Emeril under the table), comedy (was he ever not making a joke?), art and…Judge Judy. He was an incredible drummer and very talented sketch artist. He took great pride in his daughters, grand kids, his Moto Guzzi bike, his FULL HEAD of good hair, his health (homemade, organic Kombucha tea anyone?), his ability find a good deal (why pay full price?), and of course his incredible one-liners.

At the time of his death, Hoke was in a happy place in life; spending quality time with family, enjoying adventures and freedom on his motorcycle trips, excelling and finding fulfillment in his career, and in all, at peace with the world. His family and friends are truly grateful for this.

He is and always will be dearly missed, forever in our hearts and making us laugh.

A memorial service for friends and coworkers was held at the Memorial Park Tennis Center where he was loved and worked for many years. An additional, private service for family is planned in his beloved California in the future.