Tommy Hoover obituary: A young man who loved and excelled at life
He will be remembered in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, for making the Teen Center "the place to be." He attended St. Thomas Episcopal Church and helped plant the new gardens before he moved to Colorado. In Creede, he was employed by Kipp's Grill as their favorite bartender and assistant manager. No matter where Tommy lived or what he did, he was a friend to all, old and young alike.
Donald Thomas Hoover, Jr. was born July 15, 1973 at St. John Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma to Don and Carol (Crews) Hoover. His grandparents were Bean and Don Hoover of Kankakee, Illinois and Marcia and Ira Crews of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tommy started preschool at Holland Hall, the attended schools in Apharetta, Georgia, West Chester, Pennsylvania and graduated high school from Riverside Military Academy (Georgia). Tommy played basketball, baseball, ice hockey and soccer. He was in the Gifted and Talented classes, a member of DECCA, an acolyte for the Episcopal Church and had achieved the rank of Life in the Boy Scouts.
Tommy went a year to the University of Miami, pledged Sigma Nu, then joined the Army. While in Airborne school in Georgia, he was recruited by the "Old Guard", the guard unit for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. He was stationed at Ft. Meyer, and served in this elite ceremonial unit. He opted not to reenlist and returned to Tulsa to finish his education at Tulsa Junior College. After a couple of semesters, he enrolled at OSU, majoring in History and Political Science. He then attended Tulsa University Law School. Tommy was very loyal and patriotic in his beliefs. All who knew Tommy knew of his love for sports, especially the OSU cowboys and the Atlanta Braves. Tommy was an avid reader, loved history and politics and was the king of trivia. Tommy was fun to talk to, a great listener, but never judgmental. His wonderful smile, his happy-go-lucky strut and caring heart will be missed by all. Tommy was truly your best friend!
Tommy is survived by: His best friend and brother: Craiger Mento; His son: Gavin; His God sister: Faith Hart; His mother: Carol Crews; His father: Don Hoover; Step-father: Craig Mento; Uncles: David Crews; Douglas Crew and wife, Elizabeth; Jim Mento and wife, Cathy; His aunts: Donna Aarns, Gayle Crews, Jo Lynn Hope and Sandy Mento; His cousins: Katie and Kelly Crews; Joey and Phillip Crews; Tony and Michael Aarns; Chris, Brad and Kim Mento; Mento grandparents, step-mother Betty Hoover; step-sisters Danielle and Christina; the Bill Crews family, the Jim Crews family, the Beverly Sipes family, the Janet Wolgast family, the Howard Berkey family, Barbara and Nick Allen family, the Ralph Renfro family and so many other relative and friends, because he died so young…
Tommy's funeral service will be held Saturday, October 18, 2:00 PM, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider one of Tommy's favorites:
Noah's Ark Animal Rescue. 5513 W Via Camille. Glendale, AZ 85306;
Boy Scouts of America, 121 SE Adams, Bartlesville, OK 74003;
Holland Hall Library, 5666 E. 81st Street, Tulsa, OK 74137-2099;
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 817 Leahy, Pawhuska, OK 74056.
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