Mr. Vernon Leroy Hoeksema, age 94, recently of Orlando, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Florida Veterans Administration facility in the Orlando area.

Mr. Hoeksema, the son of Jakob J. Hoeksema and Lillian May Wiggers Hoeksema, was born in Muscatine, IA, on April 24, 1932. Vernon married Patricia Ann Connor on January 4, 1953. At the age of 19, Vernon volunteered for service during the Korea War and was plunged into brutal and bloody combat as soon as he arrived in Korea. One half of his unit was killed in the first 30 days after their arrival. Vernon spent ten months on the front line. In 1952, he endured the extreme winter conditions sleeping in a tent, often ahead of the front lines on Heartbreak Ridge. Vernon was a proud US Army veteran and achieved the rank of sergeant. Upon his return to civilian life, he never complained about his time in Korea and rarely even talked about it.

After returning home from Korea, Vernon married and soon began studying chemical engineering at Iowa State University, from which he graduated in 1958. His engineering degree took him and his family from Muscatine, IA, to St Louis, MO, where he earned his MBA at Wahington University. From St. Louis the family moved to The Hague, Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium. While living in Europe, Vernon and his wife Pat took their sons on extensive travels throughout Europe and exposed their sons to a wide variety of life altering cultural experiences. After returning to St. Louis from Europe, Vernon, Pat and their three youngest sons later moved to Allentown, PA, then on to Concord, MA, finally settling in Tampa, FL. During the course of his business career, Vernon traveled the world including Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East as well as various parts of the U.S.

Vernon was passionate about academic success, having graduated with highest honors in both his undergraduate Engineering degree and MBA. He always gently pushed and encouraged his sons to excel in school and pursue higher education degrees.

Early in life, Vernon enjoyed fishing, setting lines on the Cedar River, getting up early to fish at farm ponds with friends and casting lines on the Mississippi River. In later years, water became a hazard as he spent much time on golf courses with close friends or sons. Golf was definitely one of his passions later in life.

Vernon is survived by his sister, Sarah Marie Shoppa of Muscatine, IA. He is also survived by five sons: Scot Hoeksema (Patricia) of Berea, KY, Douglas Hoeksema, Winter Park, FL, Vernon Bruce Hoeksema, Rome, Italy, Greg Hoeksema (Mary Theo) of Gig Harbor, WA, and Alan Hoeksema (Kristina) of Park City, UT. In addition, there are ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mr. Hoeksema was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, his father and mother and his half-sister, Betty Jean Hoeksema.

Vernon was a great patriot, father and human being and he will be missed by all.