Lt. Brian Ray Hoke

The youngest of three children, Brian Hoke was born on 4 April 1974 in Cambridge, Nebraska, and grew up in South Dakota and Minnesota. From an early age, Brian loved the outdoors, hiking and fishing whenever he could. He excelled at numerous sports notably football, basketball, and baseball, and later in life he developed an enduring passion for surfing. He was well-read, painted beautiful artwork and played the violin.

Brian graduated from the US Naval Academy with the Class of 1996 and realized his dream of becoming a SEAL, graduating from BUD/S class 210 in April 1997. He served at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two and SEAL Team Three with multiple overseas deployments. Following his military career, Brian remained in government service as a civilian serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and numerous places around the globe.

Brian married his wife, Christy, in 2008. His love for family apparent, Brian became a father to Christy’s two boys, Sean and Stuart. Brian and Christy added to their family in 2015 with the birth of Adelaide, whom Brian adored. Always a role model, Brian worked to knit his extended family closer together with outdoor activities and adventures. Despite a hectic work life, he stayed close with friends around the world.

Through his humility, sense of humor, talent, dedication and love for others, Brian became a larger-than-life figure who touched the souls of people from all walks of life. In the years leading up to his death, Brian devoted himself to helping colleagues, friends and their families by raising awareness around mental health issues and advocating for improved access to mental health care services. He also devoted increasing amounts of time to working with organizations that provided support to the families of those wounded or killed in action.

Brian loved his family, his friends and his country. He gave his life protecting those he loved. He is sorely missed, but never forgotten.