Leslie Bart Hock entered into eternity on Monday, March 10, 2025, at his home in Clear Lake, Texas. He was comforted by his wife, Sharon and daughter, Christina. He succumbed after a lengthy battle with cancer. Bart was born to the late Leslie R. and Lois Hock on May 16, 1949, in Palestine, Texas. He was the third of four children with sisters: Patricia Gail Hale (the late Warren Hale), the late Ellen Susan Wallen (the late Don Wallen), and Mary Kay Rash (the late Charlie Rash). He grew up and attended high school in Crosby, Texas. This is where he met his high school sweetheart Sharon, who would become his wife for just shy of 56 years. Shortly after he and Sharon were married, he joined the US Army and began training as an artillery officer, helicopter pilot, and Pershing Missile employment officer. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam and in Germany before an injury he received in Vietnam forced a medical retirement. He was blessed with 3 wonderful children, Christina Louise Butzen (the late Richard “Rusty” Butzen), Kimberly Elaine Hock-Aguirre (Marcus Aguirre, Sr.), and Leslie Kevin Hock (Jennifer Hock). He was also blessed with grandchildren: Bridget Ann Butzen, Richard Jacob Butzen (significant other Chrissy Unger), Matthew Hock, Marcus Aguirre, Jr., Mari Aguirre, Mateo Aguirre, Nikolia Hock Nicholas (Zachary Nicholas), Zacharias Hock, Christopher Hock, Justin Hock, Malaki Butzen, Justice Butzen, Gabriel Hock, Symeon Hock, and Christianna Hock. The line continues with Great-grandson, Ambrose Nicholas.

Bart had an interesting and diverse career after military retirement, going back to college and getting his master’s degree in physics from Oklahoma University. He worked at NASA for a time before moving to Arizona to design and test fly autopilot systems for helicopters. Later, he joined the Phoenix Police Department as a computer system administrator. However, his heart was in aerospace, and he returned to NASA to work on orbital debris projects.  He took on another challenge in joining Oracle as the manager of field support for their southern region, but the lure of space called, and he returned to NASA until his retirement in 2015.

Being in Phoenix afforded him the opportunity to serve his Church as well. He entered a formation process leading to his ordination as a deacon on February 28, 1987. He served St. James parish until work commitments moved him and his family back to Texas. He served at St. John the Baptist in Alvin, Texas, as well as Immaculate Conception in Houston, St. Mary’s in League City, and Annunciation in Downtown Houston until health issues forced a premature end to his formal ministry. However, he never stopped his diaconal ministry of prayer and counseling to those in need of comfort. He ministered freely to the medical personnel caring for him during chemo and hospital stays as well as any stranger who seemed to need a prayer or a kind word. He always had a Rosary in his pocket and frequently gave them away to anyone that needed one.

Bart was an amazing family man who loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, and also loved exploring this great country through camping trips and later visiting family with Sharon in their RV. He was a learned man with a great sense of humor who enjoyed reading both for pleasure and to learn something new. Possibly due to his love of cowboys and the old west, he enjoyed firearms and shooting with friends at the range, often sporting his John Wayne shirts and vest. He loved spending time on his ham radios and connecting with people all over the world. He was a lifelong star gazer and shared the cosmos with his children and grandchildren through the lens of his telescope. Twice he was able to show his children and grandchildren the awe of a full solar eclipse. He was a faithful servant of God and sought salvation through prayer and service. He now has time to rest in the company of angels, saints, friends, family, and our Lord.

On Monday, March 17, 2025, Bart’s family will receive guests from 6:00 – 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Crowder Funeral Home, Webster, TX. The Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 10:30 am at St Bernadette Catholic Church, 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062. Interment will be at Sterling-White Cemetery, Highlands, TX.