Timothy Wilson Bockhorst, 47, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Southeast Hospital.
Tim was an amazing son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend. Tim never met a stranger, and his big laugh would warm you right down to your very being. He was one of the most loving and giving souls on this earth and loved to shower his family and friends with that love, usually in the form of some sort of "Mantha masterpiece" or some of his famous "crack potatoes."
As a father, Tim made sure his girls knew the unconditional love of a father and his appreciation for the same unconditional love he received from the Lord, which he returned to the world in his actions, not just in his words.
Tim was beyond proud of his three girls for very different reasons. Baylee Chey'Anne (Josh) Alsup brought him extraordinary pride by knowing exactly who she is and by having the strength to go her own way no matter what anyone thought. Brynna Sioux'Anne Bockhorst filled him with that same level of pride, because whenever she set her mind to something, it has never been a matter of if it would happen but when. He loved to tell people all about "his" award-winning tiger mascot and her accomplishments as well as just how far he saw her going in this life. Tim's youngest daughter, Brylee Wils'Anne Bockhorst, was his partner in crime, his "Hot Rod," boring science show-watching cohort and snuggle buddy. They shared a goofy sense of humor and a quick wit that filled this home with laughter and love unlike any other.
Not many people realize Tim adopted his oldest two daughters, because they were just his from day one, love at first sight, start to finish. And along with those girls and his wife came a little sister, Missy Bradley (Josh) Honerkamp, who couldn't leave him without rubbing his fuzzy head for luck and love.
As a husband, Tim loved his wife, Amber, or Sugar (he never called her by her actual name), like no other, being her best friend, biggest cheerleader and, as she so often referred to him, her "Tornado Tamer," tackling and succeeding at a job no one else could. Tim would jump in and help with any project or cause, because if it was important to Amber, it was important to him. That was just how their love worked. He often would help bring her visions for those projects to life, many of which were for Hope Children's Home in Jackson.
Tim loved and deeply respected his mom and dad, Pat and George Bockhorst, and said on numerous occasions just how blessed he was to have these two wonderful people as his very own and how thankful he was for the strong bond he had with each of them.
Tim was preceded in death by his sister, Missy Deevers, who loved her big brother beyond words, and that feeling was absolutely mutual. Missy and her husband, Jimmy, gave Tim two nieces and a nephew, as well as one great nephew, Hunter, and one great niece, Avery. Hannah (Matt) Kirchhoff, Luke Deevers and Regan Deevers loved their "Uncle T," and he loved each of them more than words.
While not biologically related, Tim considered his lifelong best friend, Bard Womack, as his brother, and the two of them shared an unbreakable bond. Bard was his person, his ride or die, and Tim would not have had it any other way.
Tim also had numerous other friends, all of whom he considered part of his family or "tribe." From the usual crew that spent every Sunday watching football and sharing meals or grilling around the pool together -- Keith Daum, Drew Jones, Buddy Davis, Kim Weaver, George Davis and Aaron Andrews -- along with each of their wives and families and several other special friends, to his Moose Knuckle tailgating buddies, Tim definitely was surrounded by love at all times and radiated that love back to all that came into contact with him.
Along with Bard and that "tribe" came many, many kiddos he loved and cheered on just like they were his very own, spending many an afternoon or evening watching those kids play whatever it was they were active in at the time, whether it be baseball, softball or Redhawks football. He loved big, and he laughed big. And with these things irreplaceable in our hearts, this world just feels a little less than without his big, beautiful, golden-hearted presence in it.
A private service for the family will be held at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.
A celebration of life will be held for family and friends starting at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge.
The family wishes that donations be made to Cape Central All-School Booster Club or Hope Children's Home of Jackson.
Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.