Danford Eugene Hoots

Danford Eugene Hoots of New Plymouth Idaho passed away on May 16th, 2026, at 73 years of age. Dan’s spirit was bright to the end of his life, but his body was struggling when his heavenly father called him home. He left a void that can never be filled for all of us.

Dan was born April 7, 1953, in Galesburg Illinois, son of the late Melvin and Ebbie Hoots. He lived his childhood in Galesburg until 1968 when his family moved to Whittier, California where he graduated from Sierra High Scholl in 1971.

He met his wife Marie in their senior year and married on September 25, 1971. They were married 54 years at the time of his death.

In 1972 they moved back to his hometown of Galesburg, Illinois. There they started their family and had two sons. John Danford was born and passed away shortly after birth in January 1974. They went on to have another son, Doc, in May 1977.

In 1978 they moved to California and had their third child Heather in 1979. Later that year they moved to Oregon where they raised their two children and built their life together for 42 years.

Dan had several careers during his life span all relating to customer service. They included being a meatcutter for 17 years. An Auto estimator for two years at Kadels Auto Body. He was with Scotties Auto Upholstery for 15 years as a manager before starting a new career with Cornwell tools as a owner operator for nine years. His final position was a parts manager with Penske Trucking for five years.

Dan was a talented upholster. Although he had careers with other companies, his passion was upholstery and held this position his entire life. He enjoyed spending his time upholstering show cars as well as daily drivers taking them to their height of perfection. He believed that if a job is worth doing it’s worth doing right.

God blessed him to be relatable with people. He was always known to speak his mind when he felt it was necessary to share his opinion. He was always known for a good joke. He enjoyed keeping smiles on the faces of everyone he knew and met. He was infamous for giving small gifts of gratitude, it was his signature style. Anything to see a smile on a person’s face brought joy to him.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his youth, one time spending an entire day doing both with his cousin and best friend John Hawkins. Somewhere out there is a picture of that day displaying all their bounty. He taught both of his children to fish and his son to hunt, as his brother-in- law Dale Hicks had taught him. A true test of his patience and love of his children. He also taught them the love of cars. He enjoyed going to car shows and taking the family to see the beauty of the past. He loved this type of beauty so much that rebuilt a 1953 ford pick-up in 1992. He accomplished with the help of his friends Jon Mavity fabricating, Butch Richter painting, and Chip Pendergraft body work. He completed this project in 1996 and had his own beauty to display at car shows and won a few awards.

His interest in cars led him to become a member of the Early Ford V8 Club. His desire to be active in an organization that supported their community drew him to become a member of the Elks and become an officer.

Dan was proud of his family that grew in the later years. He took pride in seeing his children grow, find success, marry and start their families.

In addition to his parents and son, Dan was proceeded in death by his Sister Lorene Hicks and her husband Dale. Brother John Roberts and his wife Appie. Sister Colleen Jones and her husband Donald.

He is survived by his loving wife Marie. His son Doc, his wife Jenny, and their children Kennedy, Reece, Taylor and Parker. His daughter Heather her fiancé Aaron. Grandchildren Elijah and his wife Morgan, Hailee, and Calvin.

John 14:19-20: Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me and I am in you.

Services will be held in Idaho and Oregon.

Idaho Service VFW Hall:  Address: 114 N. Plymouth Ave. New Plymouth, ID 83655 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Oregon Service Hillsboro Elks Lodge: Address: 7553 NE Quatama St. Hillsboro, OR 97351 Time to be announced