Herbert Hoover Bullock Sr.

Herbert Hoover Bullock Sr., age 93, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on May 15, 2020.

Herbert Hoover Bullock Sr., was born to parents Vance and Madeline (Pryor) Bullock, on September 16, 1926, in Athens, Georgia. At the age of 1-year, with his parents, he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. During his youth, Herbert joined his maternal grandmother Docia (Pryor)’s church home, New Mission Baptist Church, pastored by Reverend J. Cleveland, where he served until he was a teenager.

Herb, as he was affectionately called, developed a strong work ethic from an early start. He began working professionally skilled jobs at the age of 15, and was an apprentice to his father Vance, a cement finisher, at the age of 16. Saving his earnings from hard earned work, he purchased his first car, a 35 Ford, which his mother Madeline signed for because he was not yet of age. It is also at this age that he began pursuing his future wife, Dorothy Jean Hopson, who he often wooed by riding by her house and performing tricks on his bicycle in an attempt to catch her eye.

On February 24, 1944, at the age of 17, Herbert proudly enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. After the role of flag bearer and with aspirations of a more prominent position while serving, Herbert pursued schooling to become an airplane mechanic. During his tour of duty he obtained the role of Aircraft Technician – Aviation Mechanic, stationed at the Olathe, Kansas and Pensacola, Florida Navy Air Stations. Herbert Bullock Sr. was honorably discharged June 21, 1946.

Upon returning to Indianapolis from his tour of duty, Herbert sought out his long time crush, Dorothy Hopson, even saying “She was the one, the others couldn’t dance like she could, she was my baby”. He’d work odd jobs to earn extra cash just to take her to the local theater for special dates. On November 6, 1946, Herbert H Bullock and Dorothy Jean Hopson were wed in holy matrimony by his pastor, Reverend J. Cleveland. Born to this union were 9 children – sons Michael H., Anthony W., Herbert H. Jr., Allison D., Kevin T., Randall E. and daughters Cathy J., La Donna G. and Anital L. Bullock.

Herbert was a hardworking man, determined to go up the ladder one rung at a time. His professional career spanned from Naval Avionics, the Indiana State House, Eli Lilly, and finally, RCA Records. It was during his time at RCA, where upon entry as a maintenance technician, he completed multiple continuing education certifications from the University of Wisconsin and Indiana University, and retired 33 years later as a plant engineering services foreman in 1986.

Following in his father’s footsteps, in 1960, Herbert Bullock Sr. became a proud member of the Prince Hall Freemasonry. He earned the 32nd degree as a Master Mason and was a member of Trinity Lodge #18 and Constantine Consistory #25.

Herbert was known for his determination to provide for both his family and extended family, and being committed to protecting those he loved – “I didn’t want nobody to run over my family” he’d say. He also loved to show off his smooth moves on Indiana Ave. club dance floors, had a passion for fishing in Canada and the Gulf of Mexico for red snapper, enjoyed music, often playing Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie records, and kept a loyal dog by his side.

Herbert Bullock Sr. will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 73 years, Dorothy Bullock of Indianapolis, Indiana; surviving children, Cathy (Scates), Anthony (Sharon) Bullock, La Donna Bullock, Anita (Gilbert) Brown, Herbert Jr. (Liona) Bullock, Kevin (Myrna) Bullock, Randall (Alisa) Bullock; a host of grand, great, and great-great grandchildren; brother David Bullock and sister Lillian (Weathers) Bullock; and numerous other family members and friends. Herbert Bullock Sr. was preceded in death by sons Michael Bullock and Allison Bullock and brother Chester Sr. Bullock.