Theodore "Ted" Hokkanen

Theodore Garner Hokkanen went to be with his heavenly Father and family on September 11, 2011, at 6:45 p.m. He was born in Shamokin, PA, on September 27, 1945, to the late Master Sergeant. Glenn G. and Dorothy Hokkanen. He was the oldest of four brothers and a proud member of a U. S. Army family that travelled to many assignments around the world. In 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served four years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam as a Gunner’s Mate First Class on the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Winona out of Port Angeles, WA, and for a year at Captain of the Port, Seattle, WA. When his enlistment ended in 1970, he returned to Pennsylvania where he was employed as a State Park Ranger at Evansburg State Park while he attended college full time. In 1975, after graduating from West Chester State University, he became employed with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, as a Park Ranger at Arkabutla Lake, Coldwater, MS. In 1979, he was transferred to the New Orleans District Office and served as an Outdoor Recreation Planner until his retirement in 2001. Ted is survived by his companion, Yvonne P. Barbier, Gretna, LA. He is also survived by his two sons, Eric M. Hokkanen and his daughter, Paige, Madisonville, LA, and Gregory M. Hokkanen, his wife, Chassidy, and their children, Jenna, Jacob and James, Luling, LA. Additionally, he is survived by his three brothers: Michael A. Hokkanen, and his wife Mary, Dushore, PA; Glenn G. Hokkanen and his wife, Melissa, Fogelsville, PA; and SGM H. George Hokkanen and his wife Kathy, Camp Hill, PA; and also by his uncle, George Petsock, Camp Hill, PA. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and many friends who loved him and will miss him dearly. The visitation will be held on September 19, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Mothe Funeral Home, 7040 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA. A private interment will be held on September 20, 2011 at the Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ted’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project at WoundedWarriorProject.org. For directions or to view and sign the online guest book, please visit: www.mothefunerals.com.