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John M. Hoover

1937 - 2014

John M. Hoover obituary, 1937-2014, Reno, NV

BORN

1937

DIED

2014

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John Hoover Obituary

John M. Hoover

August 25, 1937

February 5, 2014

John was born in San Francisco, CA. He was the 4th of 5 children; Jimmy, Joyce, Sally, Johnny and Judy. The Hoover's moved to Northern Nevada for medical reasons.

Before John was old enough to start school he would go to work with his father collecting scrap metal from mines around the area. Thus the beginning of Hoover and Sons Construction Company, which evolved into an earth moving company. As John got older, his after school responsibility was to see that the equipment was fueled and ready to go for the next day's work.

John graduated from Reno High School and went to work with his father and brother-in-law, Arnold Etcheberry. Around this time he also joined the Navy Reserve, where he worked as a CB constructing bomb sights. In the late 50's he had an opportunity to work in Greenland and was gone for a year. When he returned to Reno he went back to work in the family business. This is about the time John joined the YMCA where he met a group of guys who were learning Judo, this became a life long passion of his. As there were no instructors in Reno the guys would go to Northern California to learn from the masters as well as compete. John eventually attained his 3rd degree black belt and became an instructor at the YMCA.

In the early 60's John met and married his wife, Sue, a union that lasted for over 52 years. They had two sons, Jon (Tami and Joshua) and Eric (Logan). John was an excellent father, he had the ability to teach without being critical, encouraging the boys to try new things and was always at every event that they participated in. He was a pretty darn good husband too; there was a lot of hard work but a lot of fun as well.

Also in the early 60's , John started a course in Reflexology, which was actually the result of watching 2 of his Judo instructors, who were licensed Reflexologists, working on their students at tournaments. Because he was always asking questions they decided to train him in the art. It took him 4 years of weekend trips to CA to get his certification. This led to an interest in Massage Therapy. He left construction, went to Portland, OR to massage school for a year and became a licensed Massage Therapist. Unfortunately, there was not much of a demand for practitioners at that time and John went back to construction, eventually running heavy equipment for Helm's Construction Co. and doing Reflexology and Massage Therapy in the evening and on weekends.

At the time there were no regulations for Massage Therapy in NV and John was on the committee that wrote the regulations for the state. He served on the 1st board of Massage Therapists as well.

In the mid 80's John was diagnosed with Parkinson's and over time was forced to stop operating heavy equipment and went to running man lifts on high rise buildings; including the Fitzgerald, Silver Legacy, Harrah's, the Peppermill and The Nugget. After 40+ years in construction John took a disability retirement as the work was too demanding. He continued his Reflexology/Massage Therapy as he could do this as his strength allowed.

Not one to sit around, we started traveling. A trip to see the fall foliage in the east, off to Alaska, a river boat trip up the Columbia, a tour around South America on a ship, a land tour of eastern Canada and the Maritime Islands, a trip through the Panama Canal, a river boat Tour of Europe from Amsterdam to the Black Sea and finally trains of Colorado.

Unfortunately, the Parkinson's began to affect John's mind and in the late 2010 he was placed at Emeritus of Reno where despite the excellent care he was receiving, John lost his battle with this devastating disease.

No flowers please, if you are so inclined and would like to make a donation in John's name, the family suggests Parkinson's Research or any Hospice program locally.

There will be a Memorial Service at the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 7125 West 4th St. in Reno on Saturday, March 1st, 2014 at 3:00pm.

Please come and remember this wonderful man.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Feb. 23, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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thank you for putting out John's judo gi at his service - I held the collar for a moment and it brought back the 7 years I spent with my sensei on the mats at the ymca

tim burge

March 9, 2014

We remember John's quiet manner, soft smile and healing hands. He taught me to use my inner strength. Sharon and Pat Crowley, Hilton Head, SC

March 2, 2014

The Hoovers: You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I'm blessed to have known such a great and wonderful soul. I really enjoyed taking care of your family and he will be dearly missed. Loved his smiles everyday at work and his gentle personality. God Bless you in the times ahead.

Dardi Hammonds

March 1, 2014

John was a very special man , always there to help , loved to go out in the desert with the Hoovers when I was little, will miss him. Will talk with him again someday

Jim Walker

March 1, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Al Lockett

February 25, 2014

Sorry to hear of your loss. May you have comfort to know that he is now in peace. Our prayers and condolences for you and the family

Bruno & Ofelia Valdez

February 25, 2014

Prayers to you and the family on your loss. May the special memories and your wonderful travels that you enjoyed lighten your heart. We know too the special care and love that is provided at Emeritus.

Randy and Judy (Barbieri) May

February 24, 2014

John was a great guy who took life to the max. He will greatly missed.

Cal Pettengill

February 24, 2014

Sue and family,
I am so sorry to read of your loss. Hold tightly to your cherished memories.

Deborah Baker

February 23, 2014

We were very sorry to hear of John's passing. John was my first Judo instructor when I was eight years old. I remember John being bigger than life and a great mentor to me and all his other students. In the mid 70's my mother had a rare eye condition that caused them to bulge and become very painful. John came by our home and used his reflexology skills to work on the nerves in her feet. Amazingly her condition stopped and the pain went away. John was a good man and really did make the world a better place.

Jerry & Vicky Tone

February 23, 2014

My little brother what a unique guy you always were. You loved to sneak up on me and scare me but that was okay,you always were a very sentimental and emotional man. I love you Johnny and you will always be my little brother. Joyce

February 22, 2014

Uncle Johnny was a sweet soul who had a kind word for everyone. I remember how sweet and gentle he was with his boys, never a harsh word. He was patient, positive and above all, kind. He made the world a better place.

Cindy Grinstead

February 17, 2014

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Funeral services provided by:

Walton's Funerals & Cremations - Ross, Burke & Knobel

2155 Kietzke Lane, Reno, NV 89502

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