James Hoopman

December 26, 1950 -

   November 21, 2024

 

  James Wayne Hoopman (aka Hoopy) was the third of four children and the only son of Wayne Frederick and Mary Eileen (Kelly) Hoopman born on December 26, 1950, in Cresco, IA. He passed away November 21, 2024 at UM Fairview Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.

   In 1969, Jim graduated from Notre Dame High School. Jim’s draft number was HIGH in the height of the Vietnam era. To defer his “number being called” and avoid being drafted, Jim signed up for classes at NIACC along with a few of his high school buddies. The US Draft Board had come up with what they called the “Buddy System” as an enticement to enlist. So, after his first semester at NIACC, Jim enlisted in the US Navy with his best friend, Tom Herold, with the bonus of spending boot camp together. Jim’s 22-year stint in the US Navy was highlighted by deployment to Hawaii, Vietnam/Mekong River, Philippines/Cubic Bay, Italy, Portugal, South Carolina and finally, Illinois, making lifelong relationships with his Navy brothers around the world.

   Jim’s circuitous route around the world brought him to his last “duty station”, the Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago, IL. This started a wonderful new chapter in Jim’s life. He reconnected with high school friend, Cindy Fraser, and they married in March of 1991. He and Cindy welcomed their sweetheart daughter Kelly in November of 1991, and Jim retired from the US Navy as a PNCS(SW) Personnelman Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare) designation in June 1992. Jim had previously taken correspondence classes via the US Navy and then went back to school and finished the requirements for his BA at Northeastern Illinois University, Chilcago, IL. He was then hired as office manager at Dole Explosives, Rosemount, MN. The camaraderie he experienced there made it his favorite “civilian” position!

   In 2016, Jim was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He received a double lung transplant at UM Fairview Hospital in March 2023 and died of complications on November 21, 2024. Jim’s cremains were buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetary, Minneapolis, MN with full military honors.

   Jim was a loving husband, devoted dad, beloved brother and brother-in-law and favorite uncle. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a kind heart. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but especially by his family. Jim is survived by his wife Cindy (Burnsville, MN), daughter Kelly (Eagan, MN), sisters Jane Drish (Cedar Rapids, IA), Jean (Bob) Vobr (Cresco, IA), brother-in-law Jeff (Karen) Fraser (Ave Maria, FL), sisters-in-law Trish (Don) Elsbernd (Postville, IA), Janet (Scott Marrs) Fraser (Apple Valley, MN) and many nieces and nephews.

   Preceding Jim in death were his parents Wayne and Eileen Hoopman and his sister Judy Himes Hartwich. His sister Jean Vobr passed away one week after Jim’s death.

Fair winds and 

following seas, Jim!