Thomas Middleton Hoye

1934 - 2016

Hoye, Thomas Middleto
of Cottonwood, Arizona, died on September 12, 2015, in Phoenix, Arizona. Thomas ("Tom") was born on December 29, 1934, in Estherville, Iowa, the youngest of three children to Joseph Leo Hoye and Ruth Pearl Kidder. Tom was a 1952 graduate of Estherville High School, where his likable personality earned him the honor of being named Class President. He was athletically-inclined, as well, and played at quarterback for the Estherville High football team. The sons of a pharmacist, both Tom and his brother, Don, also decided to pursue careers in Pharmacy. Tom graduated in 1956 with his degree in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Shortly after graduation, Tom moved to Phoenix, Arizona, with some good friends of his. One day, when Tom was working as a pharmacist in Sunnyslope, a "beautiful, dark-haired gal" walked in. Tom rang her order up, and was thrilled when she paid by check - he now had her phone number! About a week later, he called her, and they made plans for their first date. Ten months later, on December 3, 1960, Tom married Janet Jo Fischer, a physical education teacher at Sunnyslope High School. They had two daughters together, and had celebrated their 54th anniversary nine months before Tom's passing (and, three months before Janet's passing, as she preceded Tom in death, on March 27, 2015). Tom had a dream of opening up a pharmacy of his own, and that dream was realized in the mid-60's, when he founded Scottsdale Professional Pharmacy, on Stetson Drive, in what was then considered "downtown Scottsdale." He owned and operated that store, until he sold it in 1978. At one point in time, Tom bought two additional pharmacies in Phoenix, and was juggling his work efforts amongst three stores! Tom finished out his working days as an investment broker, spending most of this time with Dean Witter Reynolds. In addition, he became a licensed Realtor in the state of Arizona. Anyone who knew Tom, knew that he loved to have a good time, and Tom was always the life of the party! He was also a tremendous adventurer, who had earned his pilot's license, and was a certified scuba diver. Tom loved the water, and for most of his adult life, the family always kept a boat up at Saguaro Lake. His daughters, Shelley and Shawn, became avid slalom skiers and knee-boarders, while Tom was always at the helm, being the "safety first" driver. Tom was also an enthusiastic fisherman, and he was an accomplished fly-fisherman.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ruth; his brother, Donald; and his beloved wife, Jan, who passed away less than six months before Tom did. Survivors include his daughters, Shelley Chipps (Bill), of Gilbert, Arizona, and Shawn Waggoner (David), of Phoenix, Arizona. Tom is also survived by his five grandchildren, Ryan and Brandon Chipps, and Trevor, Tatum, and Alexis Waggoner. Tom is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Grinde, of Burlington, Iowa, who now misses both of her younger brothers. Tom's life will be celebrated in a private family memorial, in a special cove at Saguaro Lake. The family would like to thank Wyman Cremation and Burial Chapel for their kindness, with special thanks to owner Sam Bueler for making us laugh during a difficult time.