Leroy “Dr. Lee” Hockensmith, age 95, of Paducah, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Clinton Place.
Dr. Lee was born on March 29, 1926 in Louisville to Elijah and Maggie Baker Hockensmith Church. Dr. Lee was no ordinary man. He was a multiple talented person. While living at the Jackson House, he was the founder and teacher of the Jackson House Bible Study Group and the author of a monthly newsletter he printed for all residents, free of charge. His newsletter was titled, “It’s Up To You” and contained selections from his past teaching experiences such as “What Facial Expressions Can Say About You, The Mystery of Time Revealed, Being Thankful, Your Hidden Thoughts, A Challenge To Excellence, just to name a few. In addition to these more serious writings, Dr. Lee also conducted research and wrote about our nationals holidays, how and why they came about, the calendar we use today, Easter and why it is never on the same date every year, and many, many more interesting facts of life that are not generally thought about or learned. When not writing, he could be found playing a piano or guitar and singing gospel songs or songs of the 40’s and 50’s or walking several miles, which he did daily. Most days he walked between three to five miles. Before his 84th birthday, he set a goal to walk 800 miles. He not only met his goal but kept walking. Most days he walked between three to five miles.
Originally from Frankfort, Kentucky, Dr. Lee graduated from high school at New Washington, Indiana and immediately joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War – II. Upon completion of training he was assigned to the famous 5th Air Force as a gunner on B-24 heavy bombers and saw action in the Philippines, Burma and Okinawa. After the war he worked for a while as a carpenter, and at the same time played music for several famous orchestras. He organized his own band and played music at numerous famous places throughout the greater Louisville area to include the Governor’s Mansion, and had his own TV show. He later became the district sales manager for a national sales organization. Dr. Lee then moved to California and created the ABC’s of Memory which was eventually taught across the nation and offered college credits for selected institutions in California. He then created the Lee Hockensmith Success Seminars which were presented nationwide and was listed in the Who’s Who? in California and in the Dictionary of International Biography. Dr. Lee also became a member of the prestigious International Platform Association and the National Speakers Association. Simultaneously, Dr. lee authored a regular newspaper column entitled “It’s In Your Mind. If this wasn’t enough to keep an ordinary person busy, Dr. lee earned a Master’s Degree in Communication, and a Doctorate in Psychology and was a long time member of the American Association of University Professors.
Dr. Lee is survived by two daughters, Brenda Reese of Paducah, Donna Hockensmith of Sacramento, California; three sons, Steven Hockensmith of Southern California, Keith Hockensmith of Nabb, Indiana, Kenneth Hockensmith of Folsom, California; 11 grandchildren, Nicky Hensgen, Joshua Reese, Jennifer Sanders, Leroy Hockensmith, Tammy Miller, Kim Clymer, Kristy Williams, Elyse Wygant, Stephanie Boots, Sarah Hockensmith, Jenise Stewart and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Greg Hockensmith; three sisters, Mildred Hockensmith Smith, Anna Louise Hockensmith Roberts, Lorraine Hockensmith McKnight; four brothers, Dan Hockensmith, William Hockensmith, Mitford Hockensmith, Raymond Crutcher, and his parents.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville with Rev. Shane Davenport Officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516. Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
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