3 January 2010
Great-Papa Harry Lee Hoover
Posted by stephyc under: Uncategorized .
After watching my Mom write my Grandpa’s obituary today I decided so much more could be shared online. This is a combination of the obituary for the newspaper and some of what we would have wanted to say if we had the space…
Beloved Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather Harry Lee Hoover died peacefully at his home of 35 years on Dec. 31, 2009.
Harry was born in Oak Mills, Kansas on September 24, 1922 to Charles Edgar and Jennette Mirie (Hughbanks) Hoover. He was the sixth of eight children. He had three sisters Evelyn, Fern, and Irene and four brothers Bill, Jack, George, and Bruce.
His family moved from Kansas to Eastern Colorado when he was still a boy. He graduated from Lamar Union High School on 22 May 1942. On 16 October 1942 Harry enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Automotive Mechanic. He went to boot camp in Big Springs, Texas. He served in the South Pacific during World War II. As a member of the 1831st Ordnance Service and Maintenance Company he was in the New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon Campaigns. He received decorations that include American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was given an honorable discharge on 29 Nov. 1945.
He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 3 for 50 years. He worked for Guy F. Atkinson working on numerous dams. He retired as a Helicopter Pilot in 1977. He was a member of the Masons.
He is survived by his sister, Irene Stone; his children Mark and Carol Hoover, Larry and Judy Hoover, Barbara Rogers, and daughter in law Barbara Hoover; his grandchildren Eric and Jennifer Hoover, Kevin and Michele Hoover, Shere Carter, Stephanie and Jason Shultz, Jessica Hoover, Ted and Mandy Bilyeu, Larry Jr. and Samantha Hoover, Sarah Lavender, Chris and Shannon Bilyeu, Emily and Brady Bouwhuis, Keith and Mandy Hoover, and Kyle Hoover; his great-grandchildren Jenise, Jaran, Seth, Taylore, Ashley, Brian Lee, Nikki, Easton, Christopher, Logan, Lizzi, Adam Lee, Conner, Alyssa, Ayla, Jaylee, Madison, and Chace with two more on the way and many others who called him “Grandpa”.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and “Jennie” Hoover; his siblings Evelyn Eckman, Bill Hoover, Fern Ernest, Jack Hoover, George Hoover, and Bruce Hoover; his son Rick Hoover; and two grandsons Brian and Jared Hoover.
A viewing will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2010 from 4 to 8 pm at Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel in Modesto, California. Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 11 am at Turlock Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers please send remembrances to Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Dr., Atwater, CA 95301-5154.
Stephanie Shultz is a wife and mom two little girls in Cottonwood, Arizona. She enjoys photography, hiking, scrapbooking and sight seeing.