- Date Of Birth: October 27, 1936
- Date Of Death: February 3, 2021
- State: Texas
Harley Bennett Hoover, son of Jack and Myrtle ( Bowyers) Hoover was born in Cowen, West Virginia on October 27, 1936, and passed away in Temple, Texas on February 2, 2021. After his father’s death at the age of 3, Harley was raised by his mother and his uncle, Bennett Hoover. He grew up playing, exploring and hunting in the mountains and forests of West Virginia with his 2 sisters and 5 brothers.
Harley was a loving husband and patriot who proudly served his country throughout the world for over 40 years as a US Army tank commander, combat engineer and security specialist for the Defense Department. His death was related to agent orange poisoning from his military service in the Vietnam War.
In his 21 year military career, Harley B. was an accomplished soldier and marksman and he was selected to serve on the US Army’s European competition pistol team. He served in many leadership positions in the Army, including serving on tanks where he fought valiantly to protect the people of South Vietnam and his fellow soldiers.
After retiring from the Army in 1976, for years he helped countless soldiers enjoy turkey and deer hunting when he volunteered as a hunting guide on Fort Hood, Texas.
In 1960, Harley married his high school sweetheart, Lorena Jean Green, and they had two sons, Fred B and Jeffrey Scott Hoover.
Harley always treated his wife, Lorena Hoover respectfully and there was never any doubt he loved her. During their 61 year marriage, they traveled the world over, and had many great adventures living in and exploring Europe, Alaska and North America. Sometimes serious, but more often than not, quite funny, Harley made many friends and had lots of laughs and good times.
Harley loved the outdoors and wildlife and he shared his passion with his children and their friends, who have many good memories of going hunting, fishing and spending weekends at the lake camping and water skiing. His children and their friends will never forget the amazing camping trips along the Rhine River and in the valleys and mountains of Germany.
Harley was a devote Christian and he raised his sons right. His sons Jeff and Fred grew up in a good home, with lots to eat, fun vacations and dirt bikes to ride. They were raised with good values and the discipline to graduate high school and then college, before going on to graduate school. More importantly, they were raised with the wisdom to stay out of trouble and live good lives.
Harley loved his grandchildren and he would do anything for them. He has always been so proud of them. Harley is survived by his grandchildren Jessica, Jordan, and Carson Hoover and his step-grandchildren, Maddie and Riley McGinn.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Lorena Jean, his two sons, Fred, and his wife, Nina, and Jeff and his wife, Stephanie, and their children.
Harley had a special place in his heart for Vicky Jones Metcalf who was like his daughter and who was always so kind to him. He also held dear Kimberly Ann Hartley Johnson who stayed with Harley and Lorena when she was finishing high school and college.
Harley leaves behind the world a better place, and a great legacy in his children and grandchildren and the many, many people who he leaves behind with fond memories and warm thoughts.
Harley is now free of pain and the bondage of a broken body and now we know he is in heaven, talking and laughing while playing cards with his sister Dorothy, Uncle Bob, Joye Crawford Green, Betty and Bernard Ashley, Rocky and his many other friends, brothers, parents and family who went to heaven before him. We will all miss the sound of his soft West Virginia accent.
