Our loving and sweet father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away Friday, February 28, 2020, at age 98. He remained sweet and grateful until his passing. Warren was born on September 11, 1921 in Fairview, Wyoming to Clarence and Luella (Richardson) Hoopes. He always loved the beauty of Star Valley, but never wanted to make farming his life's work. He moved to California at the age of 18 where he attended Long Beach Community College for a year, while working at several different jobs, including being a theater manager. When working at the Petrolane Company, he met Ruth Barbara Ford. After a few weeks of dating, they were married in Las Vegas on June 20, 1942.
Warren enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the fall of 1942, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He attended flight school; becoming a qualified pilot in the P-47 and P-51D and served in the South Pacific. In 1951, at the outbreak of the Korean War, he was recalled to active duty. He served for the Far East Air Command at Tachikawa Air Force Base. He was released from active duty in September 1955. He remained in the Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1981.
After returning to California, he resumed his employment with Sav-On Drug Store, working his way upward to managerial positions. He retired from Sav-On as a District Manager in 1984 after 38 years with the company.
Warren and Barbara had a son, John, and a daughter, Peggy. Warren is survived by his son John Hoopes (Nancy), daughter, Peggy Hunt; six grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. His sweetheart, Ruth Barbara, and his son-in-law, Ron Hunt, preceded him in death.
Warren became passionate about golf, playing several times a week after he retired. He achieved a golfer's dream of a "hole-in-one." He also liked to garden and had a green thumb for outdoor plants. Warren was active and faithful in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held several callings.
The family will hold a graveside service at Riverside National Cemetery on March 16, 2020 at 10:00 am. The family would like to sincerely thank all the wonderful caregivers at Sunrise of Sandy for the tender and loving care they gave Warren for 15 months. It provided comfort to the family knowing the staff was providing such great care.
