James "Bus" Hoover

James "Bus" Hoover, 95, of Elgin and a former longtime resident of Imbler, died March 4 at Grande Ronde Hospital after a short illness. A viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St.,

La Grande. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Summerville Cemetery Chapel.

Known as Bus, he was born Aug. 4, 1914, to Lillian Sandoz and Charles Hoover in McIntosh, S.D.

Bus loved to talk about growing up on a small farm in South Dakota. Once he told of riding his horse home on a very cold night and seeing what is called St. Elmo's fire on the mane of his horse.

His first trip to Oregon was made with his best friend, Doug Post, and they rode the rails to get here. The life of a hobo was full of adventure.

In 1937, Bus, his mother and Doug moved to Imbler. As a logger, he worked for Mount Emily Lumber and was a master at felling trees just where they needed to be placed.

Bus entered the Army and served his country during World War II. He often recounted stories from that phase of his life and the time spent in war-torn France. When he returned home, he again worked in the logging industry.

In 1948 he married Leitha Cleaver of Imbler and inherited his first family. Together they started the Imbler Cabinet Shop and Hardware. Bus was a master craftsman, and his cabinetry is still found in many homes in this area.

Bus and Leitha were involved in the beginning of the Sumpter Railroad. Bus rebuilt the caboose for the train.

Several years after Leitha's death, he met and married Ethel Smith of Elgin and inherited a second family. They enjoyed 11 happy years together. The highlight of every week was to attend the Elgin Senior Meals, where they not only enjoyed the dinner but the conversation and the entertainment. They attended the Elgin Nazarene Church and the Imbler Christian Church.

Bus was an avid letter writer and recorded his life in several loose-leaf notebooks. He had an unending interest in history during later years, especially the history of Imbler.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel; stepchildren and their spouses, Janice Cleaver of Imbler, Marie Lester of La Grande, Arlie and Tam Smith of Portland, Bill and Chongun Smith of Korea and Roselyn and Roy Gonas of Florida; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and other family members

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Leitha; son, Wilfred Cleaver; and friend Doug Post.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made to the Elgin Senior Meals Program or the Summerville Chapel Fund in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

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