Mr. James Ray Hoover, 87, of Lexington, died Tuesday, March 15, 2016. He was born in Lexington County on November 25, 1928 to the late Stanmore and Naomi Laird Hoover. Mr. Hoover was a 1945 graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of South Carolina. He was a US Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict and retired from SCE&G/SCANA as an accountant. Mr. Hoover enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and camping with his family. He was a godly man of great integrity and served in many ministries as a member of Brookland United Methodist Church, as an adult Sunday School teacher, and as a lay speaker for other churches. Ray was a self-taught tinkerer who could fix most anything with duct tape.

Mr. Hoover is survived by his wife of 64.75 years, Ruth Kleckley Hoover; his daughter, Julie Hoover Houston and her husband, Craig; and son, Lee Alan Hoover, all of West Columbia; grandchildren, Mark Nathan Houston (Ashley B.) and Lauren Houston Wilson (LCDR Addison G. Wilson, Jr., M.D.); as well as five great-grandchildren, Addison G. Wilson, III, Houston Zachary Wilson, Emily Ruth Wilson, Evans Elizabeth Houston, and Mae Caroline Houston. Mr. Hoover was preceded in death by his father, Stanmore Hoover; mother, Naomi Hoover Berry; step-father, Norman B. Berry; and sister, Hazel Hoover Laird.

The graveside service for Mr. Hoover will be held noon, Friday, March 18th, at the Gazebo at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Rd, Lexington. The family will greet friends following the service. Memorials may be made to Brookland United Methodist Church, 541 Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC 29169. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.