Larry Wayne Hoopes

Larry Wayne Hoopes 71, of Idaho Falls, formerly of Rigby, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born July 11, 1940 in Dubois, Idaho to Wendell Larry Hoopes and Minota Francis Wharton. At a young age, eight or nine, he learned to steer the old truck. His dad would drive to work, put the truck in compound, and Larry would steer it home taking a circuitous route where he would turn the key off to stop it. He attended Ammon Elementary in Idaho Falls, as well as Clark County High School in Dubois. He graduated in May 1959, and then worked at the Conoco Service station there. He took flying lessons at this time. He liked flying so he decided to join the Air Force before he could be drafted into the army. For twenty years, he was general purpose vehicle and body maintenance supervisor. Before he was deployed to Germany and Thailand, he met his first wife Arna J. King, who had three daughters. He raised these children as his own. Two sons were later born to this union. The couple had many happy years together but were later divorced. Larry was assigned to many different Air Force Bases during his career, including, Travis AFB California, Lowery AFB Colorado, Andrews AFB Maryland, and Charleston AFB South Carolina. In 1975 he graduated from NCO Academy where he received several awards. In 1982 he retired honorably after 20 years of service as a Master Sergeant. After returning home, he attended Votec to obtain a degree in welding and diesel repair. He opened his own shop (Larry's Repair) in Rigby, Idaho, where he worked until rheumatoid arthritis caused him to retire early. He made many friends in the area. He met his present wife, EllaDawn McMinn in Idaho Falls, Idaho and they were together for six years before they decided to get married. They camped full time and spent winters in Quartzsite, Arizona. Larry enjoyed helping people, fixing things and socializing as well as hunting, fishing and camping. He was extremely creative and he had a wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, EllaDawn; his children, Lesly (Rick) Mahnke of Englewood, Florida; Annette (Hector) Hernandez of Houston, Texas; Larry W. (Dee) Hoopes Jr. of Rigby, Idaho; and Andy Hoopes of Pocatello, Idaho; siblings, Jerry (Carol) Hoopes of Dubois, Idaho; Beatrice (Max) Johnson of Idaho and Arizona; Benny (Sherri) Hoopes of Ogden, Utah; Fay (Larry) Seipert of Ammon, Idaho; Tim (Jewel) Hoopes of Idaho Falls, Idaho and numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Keith, his daughter Lynda Urban, and a grandson, Jesse. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby. The family will receive friends Friday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Dubois Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.