Gary A. Hoopes

Gary Algar Hoopes was born Wednesday, October 26, 1938, in Ottawa, Kansas. He was the only child of Dale and Rachel (McCune) Hoopes. He lived in Edgerton, Peoria and Spring Hill, Kansas. After his military service Gary moved to Princeton, Kansas where he made his home until his death Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at the age of seventy-six years. He graduated from Spring Hill High School with the class of 1956. Following high school he attended art school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he learned freehand art and lettering. Gary was united in marriage with Peggy Mealman July 15, 1961, in Peoria, Kansas. She survives of the home after fifty-three years of marriage. Other survivors include his brother-in-law, Leo Mealman of Ottawa; sister-in-law, Joan James of Ottawa; cousins, Carol Cole and husband, Ken of Ottawa, and Paul McCune and wife, Judy of Springfield, Missouri; nieces, Shirley Fritts and husband, Chuck of Richter, and Anita Figgins and husband, Wayne of Pomona; nephews, Stanley Fritts of Ottawa, and Kevin James and wife, Dee of Ottawa; and many great nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gary served in the United States Army, from August 1961 to July 1964, attaining the rank of Specialist 4th Class. During his service he was stationed in Germany working as a postal clerk. When Gary was younger he worked at Willis Nursery and helped at McCune’s Chicken Hatchery, a family owned business. He went to Ottawa National Sign Company where he worked as a layout artist, retiring in 1986. Never really retiring, he operated an amusement carnival business featuring small rides and games of chance that he personally designed and made. He also had a personal sign business, Tower Sign Company of Princeton, where he hand lettered vehicles, made license tags, novelty signs and banners selling these items at tractor and car shows as-well-as swap meets. He worked seasonally for Fun Services Inc., where he delivered merchandise for children at Santa’s workshops in Oklahoma. He was a charter member of the Ottawa Antique Car Club, Ottawa Power of the Past Tractor Club, and Plain Ol’ A’s of Shawnee. Living many wonderful years, Gary will be remembered for his love of family and their time spent together. He enjoyed restoring and tinkering with Model A’s, and Ford and Ferguson tractors. Gary will be deeply missed and remain in the hearts and thoughts of his family and friends forever.