Roy "R.L." Hoefer

Roy Lee (R.L.) Hoefer, 84, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022, at the Bluffs Retirement Home in Columbia, Missouri. R.L. was born in St. Louis, MO, on May 23, 1937, to Letha Belle Farthing Hoefer and Lee Roy Hoefer. R.L. had one brother, Thomas Durwood Hoefer. Their family later moved to Columbia, where Durwood and R.L. attended and graduated from Hickman High School. R.L. was very active in sports, which he loved throughout his lifetime. He was an especially big fan of the Missouri Tigers and Kansas City Chiefs! Following high school, R.L. enlisted in the United States Navy in May of 1955, where he served as a dental tech and in the Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery, until he was honorably discharged with a good conduct medal in May of 1958.

R.L. first met the love of his life, Marilyn Jones, when he returned home from the U.S. Navy and began doing construction work. They were introduced by his sister-in-law, Shirley Hoefer, with whom Marilyn worked at Jesse Hall. Marilyn had just completed two years at Christian College and two years at Mizzou, where she graduated with a degree in education. She went to Colorado to teach while R.L. attended Mizzou. When they could grab some time together, they enjoyed jitterbugging and often went on country drives. R.L. proposed to Marilyn after he finished college with a degree in education, and she accepted. They were married in Colorado (where Marilyn was teaching) on June 10, 1967. They subsequently moved to Kansas City, and ended up in their family home where they raised their children and remained for over 50 years, from February of 1969 through July of 2021. They loved children and adopted their two much-loved children, Kimberly Michelle Hoefer (Elton) of Springfield, MO and Mark Preston Hoefer of Kansas City, MO.

Throughout their adult life, they often enjoyed months with Marilyn’s sister, Lynda Brooks of Cordoba, Tennessee. Their best friends were always Jo and Dave Harper and Ruth and Ron Woods. With these two couples, they lived in Kansas City, and shared an apartment complex, as well as Lake places (cabins) on the Lake Road 535, just outside of Laurie. They enjoyed relaxing while spending time with family and friends, barbecuing and boat riding.

R.L. was preceded in death by his parents, and brother and sister-in-law. He is survived by his wife, two children, and one grandchild, Erin Michael Elton, of Springfield. He is also survived by his niece, Karen Hoefer, as well as by many dear friends and cousins, several of whom have blessed us by being here this week. R.L.’s passing has definitely left a void in our lives, but we are all blessed by wonderful memories of time spent with him, many of which will be shared at our celebration of his life, to be held in the Welcome Center at The Community United Methodist Church, located at 3301 West Broadway on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. A parking lot and entrance is located on the north side of the building. Following the celebration of life, there will be an informal gathering at the home of Julie Kammerich, 4002 Daylily Ct., Columbia, MO.

R. L.’s body will be cremated and interment will take place on Friday, February 25, at 2:00 P.M. at Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home.