Don Wilson Hoover

Major Hoover was born in Mayfield, KY on Feb. 7, 1947 and was preceded in death by his parents Wilson Ray and Mary Helen Gregory Hoover, a brother, William Gregory Hoover, and first wife, Carol Slettvet Hoover.

Major Hoover is survived by his wife Bonita Simms Hoover; sister Helen Ray Green of Paducah, KY; and two sons, James (Gary) Garrett Worthington Hoover of Jackson, TN, and Brien Scott Hoover of Frankfort, KY. Also surviving are granddaughter Brittney Branson (Aaron); and grandson Alec Hoover of TN; step grandaughter Taylor Allen of Shelby County, AL; three great grandsons - Vaughn, Lucas and RJ, of TN; and several nieces and nephews. Bonita’s daughters and five grandchildren in Ohio hold him in high regard as well.

A graduate of Murray State University in Murray, KY and the recipient of a master’s degree from City University in Washington, Major Hoover was commissioned through the Air Force Officer Training Corp in 1971. He completed Pilot Training in 1972 and was assigned to Malmstrom AFB, Montana as a pilot in the B-57 Canberra, a NATO committed combat unit, and documented more than 1800 hours flying time.

In 1979, Major Hoover returned to the civilian sector and was employed as an executive pilot for the BF Goodrich Company. However, duty called in 1981 and Major Hoover responded to the Air Force pilot shortage by returning to active duty. Major Hoover was assigned as chief of the Air Force Resistance Training program in 1984 and then reassigned in 1986 to Headquarters, Air Training Command as a Command Survival Training Officer in the Navigator, Life Support, Survival Training Division.

In 1987, Major Hoover became Chief of the Survival Training Division, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations. Later, he was reassigned to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida as Operations Officer at the Air Force Water Survival School and then served as Commander of the Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) joint rescue exercise for the Republic of Korea and United States, all branches of service.

Major Hoover was a command pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours and received numerous decorations including four Meritorious Service medals, Air Force Commendation medal, and the Aerospace Defense Command Award for the safe recovery of a seriously disabled aircraft. More important than all of these, however, is the great respect in which Major Hoover, “Hoovbo,” “the Kentucky gentleman,” husband, Dad, Grandfather and Uncle Don is held in the hearts of his family and many, many friends.

Don’s wish for us is to "Keep me in your hearts for a little while."

A memorial celebration will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the family's home church, Double Oak Community Church, 115 Olmsted Street, Birmingham AL 35242. Everyone will be welcomed at a reception at the church immediately following the memorial service.

Memorial gifts may be made to two of Don Hoover’s favorite charities: Hoover Hope Angel Fund for Families at Vanderbilt Children's in memory of his great nephew Liam: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/. . . and Equine Therapy Services via https://theredbarn.org.