Hoover Edwin Nelson, 77, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, in his home in Lone Star just east of Safford.  Funeral services were held in the Safford Arizona Stake Center with concluding services in Gila Valley Memorial Gardens.
Hoover was born March 3, 1929, in Safford to Louie Alma Nelson and Bessie Davis Nelson.  Hoover was the ninth of 11 children in the family of seven boys and four girls.  He grew up on the Nelson farm in Lone Star and was living in the same home at the time of his passing.
His dad was a staunch Republican and gave him the name of Hoover after President Herbert Hoover.
Hoover started school in the old Lone Star schoolhouse.  When it ws closed, he went to Safford School and graduated from Safford High School in 1947.  Hoover loved life; he was always a happy person and was very uplifting to all who knew him.
He was loved and respected by all who knew him and was always ready to hep anyone in need.  He learned at an early age, from his amazing parents, the value of hard work, Honesty & Integrity. 
Hoover was a life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He was ordained a Deacon on 16 January 1944 and started doing his Ward/Home Teaching at that time.  He was a devoted and faithful Home Teacher for 63 years until his passing.  He made sure he visited his families each and every month.  He was truely dedicated to each family.  He was a devoted and faithful Home Teacher for 63 years. The day he went into the hospital (30 January 2007), he was worried about getting his teaching done; he usually had it done long before the last week but was just not up to it and the month had slipped by.  He asked Alta about it and she said that she would get it done for him.  She called each family and explained that Hoover was in the hospital and was worried about getting his teaching done and she aske if it was ok for her to do it for him over the phone.  Each family was so moved that Hoover had not forgotten them and they were all so concerned about him.  Alta called and reported that Hoover had gotten 100% for January 2007 and then reported that he was in the hospital, not doing very well and would have to be released as a Home Teacher.
Hoover always served in the Church and magnified each calling he was called and Sustained to do.  He always Honored his Priesthood and lived up to the Promises that were given him in his Patriarchal Blessing.  He was always true and faithful to the Chuch, to Himself, and to Alta, his wife.  Hoover lived by the saying "To Thine Own Self Be True".
He was very talented in making anything that could be used on the farm.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army on Jan. 6, 1951, and served one year in Korea.  He was honorably discharged Sept. 29, 1956.
He married Sharon Alta Johnson on July 28, 1952, when he returned from Korea.  They were sealed in the Mesa LDS Temple on March 15, 1954.
In December 1961, when Alta's mother passed away, Hoover took into their home Alta's two young sisters, Connie and Eydie, to raise.
Hoover was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions, including second counselor in the bishopric, stake athletic director and high priest group leader, during which time he helped the ward achieve the goal of 2,000 sessions in the Mesa LDS Temple in one year. 
Hoover and Alta had two children, daughter, Sharon Kay (1954), and son, Rex Edwin (1956).  His family was very important to him, and when it was time for the annual trip to Disneyland, he was always ready to enjoy the special time with the kids and grandkids.
Hoover was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Louis, Earl, Frank, Larry and Terry; and sisters, Laura, Marie, Bessie Mae and Ruth.
He is survived by his wife, Alta; daughter, Sharon Kay; son, Rex Edwin (Nevelyn); two grandchildren, Trenton Jacob (Kelley) and Chelsea Ann; three great-grandsons, Jacob Wayne, Justice Layne and Jarrett Matthew; one brother, Fred (Diane); three sisters-in-law, Ethel Nelson (Frank, deceased), Connie Romney and Eydie Sabin; two brothers-in-law, Rudolph "Hub" Hubka (Ruth, deceased) and Archie Romney; and numerous nices and nephews.
On December 11, 2007, Chelsea blessed Hoover and Alta with a great-granddaughter, Ashlin Jaylene.  Hoover had to have spent time with Ashlin before she came to earth because she has his happy personality.
When Hoover passed away, George Walker Bush (R) was serving as the 43rd President of the United States; Gordon Bitner Hinckley was serving as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints