Floyd Delaine Hoofard passed away on April 13, 2024 at the age of 84, a few days after an intervention to repair his heart was unsuccessful.
Floyd was born in Tribbey, Okla. on Feb. 18, 1940 to William Floyd and Fay Pearl Forster Hoofard.
Floyd was raised in Oklahoma and in Oakland, Calif. He was the third of five children. Floyd grew up with few resources and that experience made him a hard worker who was generous and kind. He was an outgoing, resourceful person who wasn’t afraid to pursue the things he cared about, even if they were new or unknown. Floyd lived his life to the fullest while always making time for family and friends.
Floyd graduated from Golden Gate Academy, where he met his beautiful wife, Sharon Harvey Hoofard. She was the great love of his life. Sharon and Floyd were married on Jan. 4, 1958. They had their first two children while living in Oakland, Calif. and then moved to Portland, where their second two children were born. Floyd and Sharon were married 66 years and will forever remain in each other’s hearts.
Floyd started working in a dental lab as an apprentice at the age of 17 in Oakland, Calif. He later completed formal training in Tacoma, Wash. at Bates Technical College. Early in his career, Floyd started his own dental laboratory in Portland, and from then on was a successful entrepreneur in the dental technology field. Floyd loved his profession and contributed generously to it. He acquired a deep skill set in the art of dental technology and trained and mentored many other dental professionals. He was recognized as a master in restorative dentistry. Toward the end of his career, Floyd provided advanced care for patients, participating as an equal on an interdisciplinary professional team consisting of prosthetic dentists, periodontists, and oral surgeons. Floyd retired in 2021 after dedicating 64 years to his profession.
During their lifetime together, Floyd and Sharon moved with their family multiple times. The Hoofards lived in Oakland, Calif. and in Portland, Gresham, and Boring. Then for a few years they lived in Libby, Mont. and later moved to Milton-Freewater. After their children were grown, they moved to Wallowa Lake and later to Joseph. Sixteen years ago they settled in Hermiston. Floyd learned the skills of construction, electrical, and plumbing to build or remodel several of the family homes. He taught his family and friends many of the skills he learned, ensuring that the resourcefulness and practical knowledge would serve generations to come. The family’s Milton-Freewater home was surrounded by apple orchards, and there Floyd became a capable orchardist, managing the seasonal requirements of production on their small farm of 15 acres. While in the Wallowa Lake area, Floyd enjoyed spending time enriching the community. He served on the Wallowa County Planning Commission and was an active member of the Wallowa Lake Yacht Club. Floyd led a community team to form a rural fire district at Wallowa Lake, which would build and furbish a new fire station. Floyd generously volunteered his time and resources to these organizations.
Floyd loved the ocean, art, camping, Mariners baseball, classic cars, wood turning, and Hoofard family reunions. More than anything, he had a passion for golf. He dedicated himself to becoming the best golfer he could be. Floyd was a competitive sportsman and enjoyed golfing with his family and friends. He also looked forward to participating in golf tournaments with the Oregon Lab Association. During the few years of his retirement, Floyd played golf year-round at the Echo Hills Golf Course and deeply enjoyed meeting up with a group of friends to play three times per week, come rain or shine.
Floyd is survived by his wife, Sharon Hoofard; sister, Carolyn Cooper (Jerry); brother, Stanley Hoofard (Pam Keith Finch); daughter, Cynthia McDaniel (John); son, Steven Hoofard (Trisha); daughter, Catherine Zimmerman (Gary); daughter, Marjorie Hellmann (Larry); 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Floyd was a wonderful husband, incredible father, and loyal
family member, friend and colleague, and leaves behind numerous relatives of all ages that loved him deeply. Our family has lost a great patriarch.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Fay and Floyd Hoofard; his sisters, June Nack and Peggy Taylor-Hyder; son-in-law, Bruce Cummings; niece, Karen Bode; and great-niece, Madison Taylor.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Harkenrider Senior Activity Center, 255 N.E. Second St., Hermiston.
A private family interment will be in the Hermiston Cemetery.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhemiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
