MICHAEL LEE HOOVER

Michael Lee Hoover was born 1/6/1945 in Beatrice, Nebraska, Died 11/ 26/2020 in Koh Samui, Thailand. He moved to Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin with his parents Charles Westley and Mary Louise Hoover in 1959. Michael graduated Goodrich High School in 1963. During his formative years he worked at Henry's Hamburgers and Erv Clumpian's Shell station. His hobbies were drafting, cartooning, street stock car racing. Mr. Hoover along with several of his friend's volunteer to join the Air Force and serve their country. Michael's tour of duty was in southeast Asia as a jet engine mechanic with the 374th Troup Carrier Wing at Naha Air Force Base on Okinawa. Airman Hoover performed duties in the following countries: Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Korea, Japan and Formosa. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force with the rank of E4 Sargent, specializing in and certified as a Prop engine , Jet engine mechanic and Flight Engineer.

Hoover served in Vietnam from 1963-1967, followed by one year in the Air Force reserves at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV. During 1968 he started a successful and life long career in the Hotel gaming industry. He worked at Bunion's Horseshoe Club, The Sahara Hotel & Casino as a craps dealer. Starting later in 1968 he transitioned to the Dunes Hotel & Casino and remained there through 1993 as a craps dealer and box man. He then moved on to the Desert Inn & Casino from 1993-2000 as a craps dealer, box man and floorman. During Mr. Hoovers Las Vegas years he owned a house on the Desert Rose Golf course (formerly Winterwood) for 17 years. He garnered a Real Estate License, designing six-plex properties in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. He was an avid skier throughout the Sierra and Rocky Mountains of the USA and Canada. From here he moved to Zephyr Cove, South Lake Tahoe and was employed by Caesar's Hotel & Casino for the next 9 years, as a Floorman and Shift Manager. While there, he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree. Hoover's final position with Caesar's Hotel group, was a three-year period as a Shift Manager on the Crystal Harmony cruising to Alaska and the Caribbean. His next career move was to move to Westerly Rhode Island and worked as a Shift Manager at Foxwoods Hotel & Casino in Connecticut for 12 Years. Hoover's Passion, while living in Rhode Island, turned to Sailing. While there he earned his Bareboat Certification at Newport, RI. Sailing Club. He Captained three 10-day sailing trips, with friends around the British Virgin Islands. His final Bareboat trip was Co-captained by his brother, Roger, also Bareboat Certified, aboard a 51' Beneteau in the Caribbean. He and Roger also made sailing excursions around Door County, WI. and the Anacortes Islands of Washington state. After retiring Michael lived with his brother Roger, for two years in Door County, two years with his mother in Fond Du Lac, WI and then back to Las Vegas for three years, prior to moving for the final time, to Koh Samui, Thailand. He loved the Thai culture, people, food and spoke the language since serving 8 months in Bangkok in 1966. Two years prior to his passing, Michael said, "I have never been happier than here in Koh Samui". Michael Lee Hoover was preceded in death by both his parents, (Charles & Marylou Hoover), his Sister Cathy B. Hoover and her daughter (Katie Larson), both of Appleton. He is survived by brother Richard L. Hoover Las Vegas (Linda) (son Chase Hoover), (daughters Jennifer and Esther), brother Roger C. Hoover Sister Bay, WI., Niece Jennifer Feldmann and son's (Jackson and Spencer Feldmann), Fond du Lac, WI., his Nephew's Nicholas Feldmann his son (Camden). Mr. Hoover's Funeral was conducted in a traditional Thai service, (despite he being Christian), followed by a traditional Thai cremation service and burial at sea. His remaining brothers plan a trip to Koh Samui Thailand for closure and to meet Michaels friends, Thai and American, who planned a very honorable and beautiful final service.

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