Joseph Ray Hoover Jr.

Joseph Ray Hoover Jr., Buddy, passed away peacefully at the Winchester Medical Center on Friday, August 8, 2025.

Buddy was born November 12, 1930, in Woodstock, VA. He was the son of the late Joseph Ray Hoover Sr. and Dorothy Koontz Hoover. Buddy was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Rebecca Coffman Hoover, Becky. He was also preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Hoover Price. Buddy graduated from Woodstock High School in 1947 and Massanutten Military Academy in 1948. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 1950 where he served as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic during the Korean War. Buddy played baseball for the McChord Air Force Base team in Tacoma, Washington where he traveled the country playing against other military and college teams in 1953 and 1954. Both prior to and after his military service he worked at the Ford Tractor facility in Woodstock. In 1956 he went to work for the O'Sullivan Corporation in Winchester, VA. Buddy became a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in Woodstock in 1961 and retired in 1994. In 1995, he joined the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office where he worked as a bailiff in the Circuit Court until his retirement in 2016 when he was 85 years old.

Buddy and Becky had three children; Donna Hoover Lutz, (Tim), William J. Hoover, (Leslie) and Kenneth A. Hoover, (Carla). They had nine grandchildren; Brent Lutz, (Paige), Katie Case, (Ben), Justin Hoover, (Amanda), Nicolas Hoover, Brogan Hoover, (Emma), Meghan Girourard, (John Thomas), Lindsey Dinges, (Cody), Brendan Hoover and Maddison Hoover. Buddy and Becky enjoyed 15 great-grandchildren.

Buddy was a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Woodstock, VA. He was an avid supporter of the Central High School Athletic program where he and Becky were inducted into the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. Buddy was a long time member of the Masonic Lodge and The Order of the Eastern Star where he held various positions of leadership at the local and state levels.

A memorial service will be held at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 3055 Fairview Road, Woodstock, VA, on Saturday, August 16th, 2025, at 2pm. A private graveside service will follow.

Pallbearers will be Brent Lutz, Justin Hoover, Nicolas Hoover, Brogan Hoover, Brendan Hoover and Grant Hausenfluck.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 3055 Fairview Road, Woodstock, VA 22664 or Blue Ridge Care, 333 West Cork Street, #405, Winchester, VA 22601.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Winchester Medical Center. We would also like to express our gratitude to Blue Ridge Palliative Care for their service and support especially Heather Wallace and Nicole Ritter.

Arrangements are in the care of Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Heishman Funeral Service Branch, Woodstock.