Jeffrey Hoover

Dr. Jeffrey Hoover, 76, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 27, 2024, at Memorial Hermann Hospital – Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas. 

Jeffrey Hoover was born December 30,1947 to James and Dorothy Hoover in Houston. Jeff graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio in 1965 and from Rice University in 1969 with a B.A. From there Jeff went on to Harvard School of Dental Medicine and obtained his D.M.D. in 1973. He attended his 50-year class reunion last summer in Boston. 

Jeff enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve as Lieutenant (O-3) Dental 

Corps and was stationed in Long Beach, CA and Puerto Rico from 1973 - 1975. He returned to Houston and earned his M.S. and Certificate in Endodontics at The University of Texas – Dental Branch (now UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry) in The Texas Medical Center in 1977. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 1982. 

Jeff entered private practice with Southwest Endodontic Specialists, L.L.P from June 1977 – December 1995 and again from September 1998 – June 2013. He was a life member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Endodontists. He was also a member of The American College of Dentists, the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics, The Texas Dental Association, The Texas Association of Endodontists, The Greater Houston Dental Society and the Houston Academy of Endodontics.  He also served as the first President of the Houston Endodontic Alumni and Friends Foundation. 

Jeff served the UTHealth School of Dentistry - Department of Endodontics for years (1977 – 1998) as a part-time faculty member (leaving with the rank of Associate Professor Emeritus). He was also the director of the Advanced Endodontic Program for 11 years and served one year at the interim chair of the Department of Endodontics (2015 – 2016). 

Seven-year-old Jeff Hoover started his musical involvement at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in 1955 in the children’s choir. When his family returned to Houston in 1965, he joined the St. Luke’s Chancel Choir and last sang on Sunday morning, May 26, 2024. He also learned to play the church organ, taking lessons, practicing after hours, becoming a volunteer organist, and served as an assistant organist 1978 – 1996 and associate organist from 1996 – 2012. Jeff genuinely loved St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. St. Luke’s presented him with a Distinguished Life Award in 2022. In addition to his musical activities at St. Luke’s, Jeff was a longtime supporter of the Houston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, having served in various leadership roles for the local chapter as well as holding prominent positions for both the 1998 and 2016 National Conventions in Houston.

Jeff also enjoyed traveling to new destinations. In the last 10 years alone, he visited over twenty countries around the world. As recently as February he visited India.

Jeff is preceded in death by his parents James and Dorothy Hoover and his sister Joanna Hoover. He is survived by his husband and travel partner, Chuck Delacroix, his brother Michael Hoover and his wife Sharon, his niece Maggie Hoover Mills, together with grandnieces Mackenzie Portie and Ada Mills. Other loving family members of Sharon include Jeff and Jackie Whanger and their children Lily, Jake and Logan and Kristin and Kyle Pacini and their children Kinley and Kelsey. Also, close family friend Caleb Tomlinson. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 in the Sanctuary, with a reception directly following in the Fellowship Hall.

Here is the livestream link for Jeff’s memorial service:

https://stlukesmethodist.org/jeff-hoover-memorial/

Private messages to the family may be entered at the livestream site. 

Private interment in Glenwood Cemetery will be held later. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to St. Luke’s Friends of Music.