Floyd Delaine Hoofard

Floyd Delaine Hoofard passed away at the age of 84, on April 13, 2024, a few days after an intervention to repair his heart was unsuccessful.

Floyd was born in Tribbey, Oklahoma on February 18, 1940, to William Floyd and Fay Pearl (Forster) Hoofard. Floyd was raised in Oklahoma and in Oakland, California. 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 January 4th, 1958. They had their first two children while living in Oakland, California and then moved to Portland, Oregon where their second two children were born. Floyd and Sharon were married sixty-six years and will forever remain in each other’s hearts. 

Floyd started working in a dental lab as an apprentice at the age of seventeen in Oakland, California. He later completed formal training in Tacoma, Washington, at Bates Technical College. Early in his career, Floyd started his own dental laboratory in Portland, Oregon, 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 Hoofard’s lived in Oakland, California, and in Portland, Gresham, and Boring Oregon. Then for a few years they lived in Libby, Montana, and later moved to Milton-Freewater, Oregon. After their children were grown, they moved to Wallowa Lake and later to Joseph, Oregon. Sixteen years ago, they settled in Hermiston, Oregon. 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 fifteen 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, Mariner’s 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 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. 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), and ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Floyd was a wonderful husband, incredible father, 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. 

A Celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday April 27, 2024 at the Harkenrider Senior Activity Center 255 NE 2nd Street Hermiston, Oregon. A private family interment will be in the Hermiston Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family please go to www.burnsmortuaryhemiston.com

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