Paul Randall Hoover

June 9, 1950 - May 23, 2017

Major Paul Randal Hoover “Go the Extra Mile…It’s Never Crowded” Paul Randall Hoover, 66, beloved husband, father, grandfather, coach and runner died tragically on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 in Crawfordville, FL while on an evening run. Those that knew Paul recognized that one of his passions in life was running and coaching others in the sport he loved. Paul leaves behind a family that turned to him for wisdom, guidance, and love. They include his wife, Myrna Hoover, sister, Muriel Thornton (Larry), sister-in-law, Marcia Pugh, children Tiffany Hoover, Justin and Tyler Unger, Avery and Robin Tubbs and his grandchildren Cassidy, Kensley, and Ryleigh Hoover and Kaleb Tubbs. Paul was born on June 9, 1950 to Randall Ivan and Florence (Mohre) Hoover in Denver, Colorado. Raised in Upper Sandusky, Ohio by his mother and step-father Robert Mohre he grew up showing quarter horses, hunting, working the family farm, and dreaming of being a game warden. Paul attended Ohio State University graduating with a degree in Wildlife Management in 1972. When applying for his first job, one professor’s reference expressed the attributes Paul would come to be known and loved for throughout his 30-year career with what was then the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. He stated, “Paul has fine ability in oral and written communication, high personal standards and morals; ability to work cooperatively with others; high likelihood of acceptance by peers and people of the community; individual initiative and the ability to organize and develop a work plan.” Hired as a Game Manager in Dixie County on March 5, 1973, Paul’s dream to become a game warden was fulfilled when he transferred to the Division of Law Enforcement in 1974. In 1977, Paul Hoover was recognized as Florida’s Wildlife Officer of the Year. It was the beginning of a career that has personified excellence, commitment to duty, character, productivity, good judgment, and most of all, leadership. In 1979, he promoted to Leon County, where he served with distinction as Sergeant and Lieutenant over a four-county area. In 1990, he promoted to Captain as the first Bureau Staff Officer in the statewide headquarters. In 1994, he again promoted to Bureau Chief of Operations and Investigations over the entire state, overseeing the administration of five regional law enforcement entities. During this time, he attended and graduated from the 1997 FBI National Academy. In 1999, several agencies merged to create the current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Paul became Chief of West Field Operations laying the foundation of the Division of Law Enforcement in this new agency. Paul’s commitment to the protection of fish and wildlife resources reflects sustained excellence and achievement, and his example will continue to be a benchmark for law enforcement professionals dedicated to the protection of these resources. Paul served the agency he loved for 31 years retiring on August 31, 2004. The following year, Paul was awarded the Guy Bradley Award for Outstanding Leadership and Professional Excellence. His deep caring about the conservation of our country’s natural resources and the environment may have begun on a farm in Ohio but it continued until the day he died. Paul’s leadership was not only evident at work, but it could also be found in the community, in schools, and in international athletic circles. In 1979, Paul began his other passion, running. Paul’s running career spanned almost four decades and formed the foundation from which he approached life…always going the extra mile. Although you never heard Paul talk about his running records, he successfully represented the agency in the Florida Law Enforcement Games and the International Law Enforcement Games. His love of running and commitment to fitness set a standard that may never be equaled. Competing in the Florida Law Enforcement Games twenty-two times beginning in 1980, he won gold in the half marathon twenty of those years. Paul still holds the all-time record in every age-class from age 35 to 54 in that event. Paul ran the half marathon three times at the international event, winning all three. In 1999, he competed in the International Track and Field, winning gold in the 4X4 relay, the 400, the 800, and the mile. Paul received the Gulf Winds Track Club Runner of the Year in 1994, the Cleveland-Caldwell Advancement of the Sport Award in 2014 and served on the Gulf Winds Board of Directors. Paul’s love of running made it impossible for him not to share those talents with others. So, in 2006, he began coaching the Wakulla High School Cross Country and Track teams. The cross-country team began with 15 runners, growing to 40 athletes a year. He shared his love for running with anyone who wanted to lace up a pair of shoes, frequently providing those shoes himself. Paul’s dedication, mentorship, and guidance not only attracted these young adults to the teams, but it propelled them to numerous Regional qualifying teams, District Champion and Runner-up teams, and individual Regional and State qualifiers. In 2008, the team brought home its first Cross Country award. In 2011 the girls won their first district title, had their first girls’ state qualifier and state team participation. In 2012, the boys first qualified for state. The track team was awarded its first team award in 2015, followed by hosting the first track and field home meet the following year. This past year, the boys’ team was District Champion for the fifth consecutive year and qualified for the state meet for the fourth consecutive year. The boys’ team placed 11th at the state meet, its best placing ever. The girls have been either District Champions, Runner-ups, or qualified for the Regional Meet each of the last six years. Two girls advanced past the Regional Meet in 2016 and qualified for the State Meet. One girl was invited to participate in the FACA All Star Senior Meet, a prestigious post-season meet for 32 of the top seniors from around the state. Not only did the teams benefit from Paul’s coaching, but several athletes went on to sign with post-secondary institutions on the strength of their cross country and track and field performances. Paul’s love and caring for these kids was the reason for this success. Paul believed “kids didn’t care how much you knew, until they knew how much you cared”. Paul Hoover cared, and his kids knew it. Through the years, he touched the lives of the hundreds of kids he mentored, coached, encouraged and loved. If this were not enough, in June of 2013, Paul Hoover spearheaded the inaugural WHS Freedom Run, with help from parents and his athletes. This annual event continues to help support the WHS Cross Country and Track programs. In addition to athletic achievement, Coach Hoover emphasized the importance of citizenship and scholastic achievement. Each year, among other volunteer activities, he would organize a group of “his kids” to provide a water station at the Tallahassee Turkey Trot, Tallahassee’s largest annual running activity. At each end of the season banquet or cookout, he never failed to recognize those students who had excelled academically. As one parent has stated, “He was prouder of his kids on graduation day, than he was on race day”. Surely, he was an incredible man. Paul will be warmly remembered as a pillar of this community and will be missed by everyone that crossed paths with him, on and off the track. Paul R. Hoover will continue to be a role model and a guiding light for his friends and family in the years to come. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, May 27, 2017, 11:00 am at Wakulla High School Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Wakulla High School Cross Country Track Booster Club, 3237 Coastal Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327/850-926-7125 or to the gofundme account that has been set up to benefit the young men and women participating in Wakulla High School’s Cross Country and Track teams at https://www.gofundme.com/paul-hoovers-go-the-extra-mile The arrangements are under the care of Skip Young with Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services 850-926-5919 Family fhc.com