Kenneth Alvin Hoke, age 86, formerly of Burlington and currently of Burnsville, passed away suddenly March 8, 2022, in the heart of the mountains he loved.
Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Roy Richard Hoke and the late Allie Stevenson Hoke, both from Iredell County. Ken attended Augusta Military Academy in VA where he was captain and quarterback of the football team, and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill where he was captain of the wrestling team. He went on to work in Information Systems for Burlington Industries for 20+ years, and ended his career as the MIS director for Guilford Industries in Guilford, ME.
He found great joy in working with his hands restoring old homes and crafting practical works of art. The log cabin he built timber by timber on Rock Creek near Mount Mitchell represented the culmination of the craftsmanship he had honed through the years. Ken was known for his generosity of spirit, always ready to lend a hand to those in need. He will be missed by many.
Mr. Hoke is survived by his daughter, Amy Hoke Nakhle and his son, Ken Hoke, Jr., both of Elon, and his late daughter Susan Hoke Lambeth’s husband, Tom Lambeth of Burlington; his grandchildren David Lambeth and wife Warner of Goldsboro, Steven Lambeth and wife Jessica of Burlington, Kate Nakhle Knapp and husband Taylor of Durham, and Jamie Nakhle of Raleigh; and his great grandchildren Elliott Knapp and Thomas Lambeth, IV. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard, daughter Susan Hoke Lambeth of Burlington, and his beloved partner Dottie Buker of Burnsville.
A celebration of Ken’s life will be held in Burnsville in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Yancey County Humane Society, PO Box 1016, Burnsville, NC 28714; and Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC, https://www.bbbswnc.org/donate/
To send an online condolence please visit: www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
