Wilbur Hoke Currie, Jr.
1949 - 2024
Wilbur Hoke Currie, Jr. was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to
many. He was an avid sports fan and never missed a UNC football or basketball game if he could help it.
Hoke passed away at the age of 75 in Winston-Salem, NC from a sudden and unexpected illness.
Hoke was born in Carthage, NC in 1949 to Wilbur Hoke Currie, Sr. and Margaret Willcox Currie. He was
the youngest of eight children and relished being the baby of his family. Hoke attended Presbyterian
College in Clinton, SC and majored in English. He later pursued a master’s in Sports Administration at
The Ohio State University.
Hoke met Nancy Kachadoorian after reading a newspaper article showcasing her as the new librarian of
Wadesboro, NC and calling her up for a date. The two were married in 1975 and had two children,
Margaret “Meg” Keteon Currie and Jacob “Jake” Willcox Currie. They later settled in Farmville, VA.
Hoke served as Longwood University's first full-time sports information director until 1997, chronicling
the spectacular accomplishments of Longwood’s student-athletes. He was a member of the College
Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) and was a founding member of the Virginia Sports
Information Directors (VaSID). His work received 21 citations of excellence in publications from CoSIDA.
Hoke also provided a wealth of material for the recently released biography of basketball star Jerome
Kersey, Overcoming the Odds, written by Kerry Eggers. The book was built on the work that he provided,
including interviews with Kersey that helped make it possible.
Inspired by a missionary trip to Central America after Hurricane Mitch, Hoke became very involved in his
local community and decided it was time for a career change. In 2001, he was named as the first
coordinator for Heart of Virginia Meals on Wheels. Later, as Meals on Wheels merged with SCOPE
(Senior Citizens of Prince Edward), he was named Director of Operations, serving in the role for 10 years.
Upon their retirements, Hoke and Nancy moved to Lewisville, NC to be closer to their daughter, son-in-
law, and grandchildren. Hoke enjoyed spending time with his family, watching sports, reading Dick
Francis books, listening to good music, and playing bridge. Tragically, his son Jacob passed away in 2023
after battling leukemia for nearly 2 years. This was truly heartbreaking for the family.
In early 2024, Hoke received an honor of his lifetime when he was inducted in the Longwood University
Athletics Hall of Fame. He will always be remembered for his passion for sports, his care for others, his
love of community and the environment, and his faith in the Lord. Hoke was preceded in death by both
of his parents, his sister, Elizabeth Currie Shoenfelt, his brother, John Lauchlin Currie, and his son, Jacob.
He is survived by his wife Nancy, his daughter Margaret, his son-in-law Luis Coyoy and his beloved
grandchildren, Emilio and Marisol.
Per his last wishes, Hoke will be cremated and his ashes spread in Montreat, NC. The family will host a
celebration of life service at Clemmons Presbyterian Church in Clemmons, NC on Saturday, November
2 nd at 3pm. Please RSVP here: https://form.jotform.com/242735236066154.
To honor Hoke, donations can be made to the Longwood University W. Hoke Currie Athletics
Scholarship: https://give.longwood.edu/. Select "other" on the drop down and type "Hoke Currie
Scholarship" as the designation. Or call 434-395-2130. This scholarship serves to support the mission of
Longwood, as well as the financial needs of its students.
Hoke was a Star in the Longwood Lancers sports constellation. I fell fortunate to have worked with him in the ‘80s. He was a good friend.
Don Lemish
Hoke and I arrived at Longwood in 1980. He and Nancy were good friends. Hoke was the first Sports Information Director I worked with. He did so much to support the Longwood Wrestling and Men’s Golf Team for the 17 years we worked together. Hoke was an excellent SID and an even better person. He will be missed. Nancy and Meg you have my deepest sympathy.
Steve Nelson
Hoke was a treasure for Longwood! He was also an outstanding person and will be truly missed.
A class act. When I was a kid in the 80s, loitering around baseball fields at Longwood and all over, I looked up to Mr. Currie. He was kind, smart, funny, talented and a true gentleman – a Longwood legend, for sure. My heartfelt condolences.
Mr. Currie was a very kind and caring man. He will be truly missed! Our condolences to Nancy and family!
Sending all of you my condolences and love. Hoke was such a warm and caring Mensch – he brought joy and light wherever he was. My heart goes out to you as I wish you comfort and peace in this difficult time. Safe travels, Hoke. Gentle hugs, Nancy.
My former boss in the Sports Information Office. Always nice, there for me and knew the world of sports writing for The Lancers. Hoke thanks for teaching me and making me a better person. Rest in Peace! My condolences to the family.
Hoke Currie has a commitment to developing young athletes to be the best they can be. I was able to appreciate this wonderful trait in our project to publish the book Jerome Kersey, Overcoming the Odds. His joy in seeing Jerome’s story touch others was so inspirational. All of us involved in this book project were infected by Hoke’s vision and dream. And, we too, found joy. Thank you, Hoke. Your friendship has been a source of strength in approaching each day knowing we can make the world a better place. Thank you, Nancy, for being there all along the way.
Shortly after my arrival in Farmville, VA as Food services director for Sentera Hospital. I was visited by a gentleman who introduced himself as Hoke Currie. He said that he had been anticipating my arrival. I could not imagine why. Hoke explained that he wanted me to help start a Meals on wheels program. Although I had experience providing meals for a meals on Wheels program at a former location I had never organized one from scratch. With Hoke’s help and that of our Hospital dietitian and a few committed citizens we got it going. Hoke became our first director . Hoke’s background in administration and information through the local press the project got off to a great start. We at times had as many as 100 clients throughout our rural community. It has been my honor to have known and worked with Hoke. I consider him a true friend even though our rival football teams UNC and VA Trech was often a bone of friendly contention, My heart felt condolences go to Nancy and her family. Rest in peace Hoke .
I was shocked and saddened to learn about Hoke’s recent passing. This man took a chance on an inexperienced young guy from Ohio and brought me to Farmville in 1991 to be his intern at Longwood. He not only taught me everything about sports information and being a professional in the job, but he also introduced me to Paula and encouraged our relationship. My nine-month internship turned into a 10-month internship for year two, and I became his full-time assistant in years three and four. I left for two years at Lynchburg, and the day he decided to change his career path, he called me and encouraged me to return to Longwood. It was a great honor to work with and learn from Hoke, and then follow in his footsteps at the school, while he was always available for guidance and advice. Thank you, Hoke … for my family and career in college athletics! ❤️ Paula, Megan and I send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Nancy and Meg, as well as all of the extended Currie Family. 🙏🙏🙏
I was Hoke’s work study assistant his first year as SID at Longwood. Because of his mentorship,I decided I wanted to follow in his footsteps and become an SID. Later I became a Maryknoll lay missioner and he was very supportive in our shared interest in mission. I babysat Meg as a baby and visited the family occasionally in Farmville. Hoke wss one of those people who are humble and calls forth the best in others. He was an excellent role model for myself and others.
Hoke Currie was a mighty pillar in the Pantheon of Longwood Lancer Athletics. He kept the records of every Longwood sport’s team with a precision unmatched within the Commonwealth of Virginia, routinely writing deep into the night to keep Longwood on the Sports Pages of all its Newspapers, big and small for an entire career. The great sports writer Grantland Rice had nothing on Wilbur Hoke Currie, Jr.