Obituary of Ricky Joe Hoover

Ricky Joe Hoover, 66, of Lovington passed away on September 22, 2022. Ricky was born on June 22, 1956, in Hobbs, New Mexico to Doyle and Earnestine (Tenna) Hoover. In 1974 Ricky graduated from Lovington High School. He started working for Lea County Electric. He later married the love of his life Vickie Drewry, on December 27,1974. Ricky retired after 38 years with Lea County Electric as the Manager of Line Operations. Ricky was a member of the Lovington Volunteer Fire Department. He was a youth Sunday School Teacher, young adult Sunday School Teacher, and served as a Deacon at Hillcrest Baptist Church until he could no longer serve due to his health. Ricky loved to travel with his wife, as they took many adventures together. He loved camping, hunting, fishing with family and friends, raising cattle, and reading his Bible. He was preceded in death by his parents: Doyle and Tenna Hoover; sister: Doylene Strickland; sister and brother-in-law: Barbara and Jimmy Jackson; father-in-law: Bill Drewry, and brother-in-law: David Palmer. He is survived by his wife Vickie Hoover; son: Billy Hoover (Sarah) of Roswell, NM.; daughter: Kimberly Bartrum (Andrew) of Lovington, NM.; Eleven grandkids: Tyler (Gracie), Sierra, Courtney, Logan, Makenzie Hoover, Abegail, Wyatt Yocum, Shadeau, Andrew, Alex, and Maria Bartrum; Two Great Grandkids: Emma Marquez and Wesley Joe Hoover, and 3 more due in 2023; Two sisters: Pat Jones (David), Betty Canady (Dornell); mother-in-law: Joyce Drewry; sister-in-law: Donna Read (Allen); brother-in-law: Randy Fisher (Janet); and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 28th from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home. Services will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church on Thursday, September 29th at 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Lovington Cemetery. If you would like to donate in lieu of flowers in Ricky's honor, please donate to, Dress A Girl, at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 220 W Avenue I in Lovington New Mexico. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com