Wesley Walter Hooley "Wes"

Wesley Walter Hooley, “Wes,” age 97, passed away on February 8, 2019 on the land he transformed from desert to productive farm land in Indian Cove, Idaho. He was born November 21, 1921 in Jet, Oklahoma to Alta and Paul Hooley. Wes and Doris Isabelle King were married on August 25, 1946. They made their home on the family farm in Indian Cove. They were married 67 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Hooley, his parents Alta and Paul Hooley, and 4 siblings: Elsie Mann, LeRoy Hooley, Paul Ervin Hooley, and Mylin Hooley. He is survived by one sister, Marilyn (Ed) Miller, a sister-in-law, Fern Hooley, his 7 children: Judith (Wendell) Unrau, Maxine (Rick) Peirson, Dale (Diana) Hooley, Donna (Robert) Detrich, Gary (Lois) Hooley, Gene (Mary Esther) Hooley, and Sharon Hooley; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Wes spent his life as a farmer on the homestead that his parents began in 1938. After his father died, he and his mother and brothers began the irrigation project; obtaining a government grant, blasting and digging the canal, and installed the pump which still serves the west end of Indian Cove. Wes was a hard worker, an innovator and inventor. He created his own 14-foot front-end mowing machine prior to hay swathers, leveled his farm mixing the drifting sand with the clay, and was one of the first to change from gravity irrigation to sprinklers. His math skills were appreciated as Ditch Rider for the West End farmers for 45 years.

Wes was active in the Community Mennonite Church, helping with its construction in 1950 from timbers salvaged from the Anderson Ranch Dam construction, and served as treasurer for many years. He had a rich baritone voice and loved to sing. He was keenly interested in and supported Creation Science research. As a young bachelor, Wes registered as a Conscientious Objector during World War II, and after the war, he volunteered through Mennonite Central Committee (a relief and service organization) to help take 700 horses by ship to Poland under the first United Nations Relief efforts. These men and those who followed were later referred to as 'Seagoing Cowboys.' In his later years he traveled to Israel to help with archaeological digs, and tour with his wife, and he made trips to China and Russia to distribute Bibles.

Wes' life displayed his natural abilities as an engineer and farmer. He valued most his family, showing continuing love for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his repeated requests for family reunions. He has passed on a legacy of self-sufficiency, travel, support for missions, love of music, and life-long learning.

Wes' funeral will be held at the Rost Funeral Home in Mountain Home, on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. A viewing is at 11:00 am, and the service at 1:00 pm. The family would like to thank Treasure Valley Hospice who gave wonderful support at the end of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heifer International (an outgrowth of the Seagoing Cowboys project.)