He was preceded in death by his brother Bob Hoover, and his parents. He leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years, Imogene Hoover, his sister Janice Holden of Modesto, Ca, his son Tim Hoover (Shawntel) of Waterford, Ca, and his daughter Donna Bedari (Toby) of Denair, Ca. He had 8 grandchildren Rebekah Larson (Dean), Alex Bedari, Jeff Hoover (Jennifer), Alyssa Bedari, Aaron Hoover, Hannah Hoover, Aldon Bedari, Bella Hoover, and 4 great grandchildren Bretley Larson, Emilia Larson, Adeline Larson, and Thor Walker.
Donald met the love of his life (Imogene Davis), on a school bus in Dos Palos in 1959m, and they were married August 31, 1962. They moved to Modesto, Ca in 1962 where Donald started working for Foster Farms. In 1966, they welcomed their son Tim Hoover to the world, and in 1968, they would complete their family with their baby girl Donna Hoover.
After working on different ranches, he and Imogene finally settled in Denair, Ca where he lived out the rest of his days. Donald was a loyal employee for over 40 years raising chickens, and teaching his children the value of hard work.
When Donald retired in 2003 he was working for Fosters Commodities in Turlock. He met many people and made many lifelong friendships. He was a faithful, longtime member of the Denair First Missionary Baptist Church of Denair, Ca. If he was not at work or church, you could find him in the hills, as he used to say, “I will be gone deer hunting”.
Donald was a loving, caring husband, dad and papa who always put everyone else before himself. He opened his home to many in need over the years and would jump up at moment’s notice to go help anyone. He was the hero of the family, caregiver, and was not afraid to give you the talk you probably needed. He will be truly missed by so many people whose lives he touched along the way.
A viewing will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home, 900 Santa Fe Avenue. Hughson, Ca on Friday, August 20, 2021 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 10:00am with a graveside to follow and a reception to follow at Denair Missionary Baptist Church, Denair, Ca.
