Colonel James Kelley Hocott, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).

Colonel James Kelley Hocott, DDS., 90, of Olathe, Kansas passed away at Olathe Hospice House on Sunday, September 29, 2024.  A graveside service will be held at a future date at Gardner Cemetery, Gardner, Kansas, upon the death of Mrs. Hocott.

Memorial contributions may be made to either of these two organizations:

    1. The Olathe YMCA at Olathe YMCA Donation Page
    2. The Olathe Hospice House at Olathe Hospice House Donations

Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com

James was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on February 15, 1934 to William Ernest and Thelma Mae (Whinery) Hocott. At the age of four he, his parents, and his sister moved to McPherson, Kansas. On May 30, 1957, James married Fay Gene Munn in McPherson, Kansas. Together they enjoyed 67 years of marriage and were blessed with three children. James was proud of his children, enjoying their successes and seeing them thrive.

James graduated from McPherson High School and then attended Kansas State University majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Business Administration. After graduation from Kansas State University, he applied for, and was accepted to, the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry. James graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry earning a doctorate degree in dental surgery in 1960.  

After marrying and graduating from UMKC, James joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, serving as one of about ninety dentists on the base. After completion of his Air Force active duty, Jim served in the Army reserves for 30 years. He retired after 34 years of total service, ultimately earning the rank of Colonel. James received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the United States Army Reserves.

After completion of his Air Force active duty, James purchased a dental practice in his hometown of McPherson, Kansas. He maintained his dental practice for nine years. While in McPherson, James was involved in the local YMCA, serving on its board of directors. He always had a special place in his heart for the YMCA and its mission, and participated in the fund-raising campaign to build a new YMCA facility for McPherson.

In 1972, James moved his family to Olathe, Kansas, to become a teaching faculty member of the UMKC School of Dentistry. Later, James served as Assistant Dean of Clinical Programs at UMKC from 1982 to 1999. James was a four-time recipient of the UMKC School of Dentistry’s “Outstanding Teacher Award” from 1993 to 1996. He was also named a recipient of the UMKC School of Dentistry Alumni Achievement Award. He served on the Board of Directors of the Dean’s Council (UMKC) and was a member of the Roy J. Rinehart Foundation for 22 years. James was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Olathe, Kansas, and a loyal member of the Olathe YMCA. He will be remembered and missed by colleagues, friends, and family.

James was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Joyce Virginia Chinberg. He is survived by his wife Fay Gene (“Genie”); daughters Cynthia Lynne Hocott of Omaha, Nebraska and Diana Christine Petruzzi of Olathe; son, Douglas Kelley Hocott of Overland Park, Kansas; and four grandchildren.