Dexter Lee Hockaday

Dexter Lee Hockaday, age 80, of Advance, NC passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

Dexter was born on Valentine’s Day in 1945 in Clemmons, NC to Clarence Lee and Ada Louise Cook Hockaday.

Dexter grew up farming tobacco on his family farm and helping neighbors and friends harvest their crop every season. He was a hard worker, farming during the day and working 2nd shift at Reynolds. He worked for RJR for 37 years. Dexter was dedicated to his family, taking care of his mother, and then his wife and family.

Dexter had a love for music his entire life, and he was a lifetime member of Macedonia Moravian Church where his mother played organ. He joined the church band at 9 years of age where he played trombone. Dexter played for the Easter Sunrise Service at Home Moravian Church for 68 years. He also sang in the church choir all of his adult life and enjoyed singing the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of each Christmas Eve Lovefeast. Dexter also sang in Handel’s Messiah for many years. Dexter passed his love of music on to his children, putting instruments in their hands at a young age.

Dexter is preceded in death by his parents and 3 siblings - Wilbur, Kenneth, and Lorene.

Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Phyllis Gobble Hockaday, and two children, Adena Hockaday of Burlington and Kenneth Hockaday (Megan) of Mocksville. Also surviving are his sister, Sallie Ruth Conrad and nephews, Roger Hockaday and Danny Saunders.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Macedonia Moravian Church with Dr. Stephen Martin officiating. Interment will follow in the church graveyard. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Macedonia Moravian Church or the Moravian Music Foundation in honor of Dexter.

Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel is serving the Hockaday family.