Larry Stephen Hoce

Larry Stephen Hoce, 73, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday July 17, 2022 in Lexington, SC as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic fall.

Larry was born in Kannapolis, NC at 9:11am on June 25, 1949.  He was the fourth of five children to the late JW and Virginia Lane Hoce.

Larry grew up in Kannapolis with his two sisters and two brothers as constant companions. He attended AL Brown High School where he played basketball and made some dear friends he would have for his whole life. He graduated from AL Brown High School with the class of 1969, and attended Appalachian State University where he graduated in 1972 with a degree in education.  Larry and his wife of 48 years, Donna “Denise” Lowder Hoce, raised two sons they adored- Kelly and Josh.

Larry began his career as a classroom educator where his natural leadership abilities quickly promoted him through the ranks to become the Dean of Students at the Will Lou Gray Opportunity School in West Columbia, SC.  From there Larry’s career evolved into publishing sales which would prove to be his true calling.  Larry and his family moved from SC to Lewisville, Texas where he was sales director for Holt Rhinehart for many years.  His career path took him through Barrett Kendall publishing and finally landed Larry at McDougal Littell, a Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, as National Sales Manager.  It was in this role that Larry’s ability to mentor and promote talent was put to its fullest use. Larry retired early in Chapin, SC and dedicated the rest of his life to his two main loves- his family and fishing.

Larry was happiest by the water, be that the ocean at Hilton Head or Lake Murray.  The annual Father Son fishing trips to the Keys will remain treasured memories where the fish get bigger and bigger with each retelling of the story.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, JW and Virginia Lane Hoce, and his first wife, Donna “Denise” Lowder Hoce.  He was blessed to find love again and is survived by his dedicated and loyal wife, Sandra James Hoce.  Even though their time together was cut short by this tragedy, they were able to create a lifetime of beautiful memories.  Larry is also survived by his sons Kelly (Ali) and Josh (Jenna), and his grandchildren Jane Porter, Ben, Coleman, Valli, Drum and Holden (who will miss their beloved Papa Yay Yay), his siblings, Sylvia Slaughter, Johnny Hoce (Kathy), Susan Combs, Tim Hoce (Betty), and numerous nieces and nephews whom he adored.  He is also survived by his step-children, Brandon Payne (Jennifer), Ashlyn Payne Roberts, and step-grandsons Carson and Collin Payne and Hunter and Parker Roberts.  Larry also leaves behind his constant and devoted companions, his “boys”- Gus and Sydney, his most loved standard poodles who will dearly miss their “Papa.”

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Kannapolis, NC conducted by the Rev. Dr. Tom Cabaniss on Saturday July  23, 2022.  Visitation will begin at 12:00pm followed by the service at 1:00pm.

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