John Sheldon Hovis |
| Posted 2008-11-09 by Sharon |
| Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ September 24, 2008, p. B-12 John Sheldon Hovis, 100, of Tombstone, Ariz., passed away at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Sept. 16. Sheldon, as he preferred to be called, was born March 31, 1908, in Oil City, Pa., to the late Maude Amanda Hovis and Richard Burton Hovis. Sheldon’s life, spanning a century, was a remarkable journey. He lived from the days of horse-drawn vehicles to see space exploration and the computer age. Sheldon grew up in El Dorado, Kan., and as a young man followed in his father’s footsteps working in the refineries throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and the Midwest. Sheldon’s first trip to Arizona was in the late 1920s to visit a cousin who was ranching near Wickenburg. Although returning to Texas to work, Sheldon visited Arizona several more times and eventually decided Arizona was the place he wanted to be. In 1935, Sheldon, his young wife Ella and baby son John settled west of Wickenburg and started their own cattle ranch. Early ranching days began in a tent with a dirt floor and cooking over an open fire. Sheldon and his family lived on the ranch for 30 years. In the mid 1960s, Sheldon sold a portion of the ranch and relocated to Tonopah, Ariz., where he continued to run cattle on his lower allotment and began another fulltime career of well drilling. During the late 70s, Sheldon began to spend his summers in Tombstone. In 1987, he decided it was time to give up well drilling, sold the remaining ranch land, and permanently relocated to Tombstone Sheldon was a man who, throughout his life, was always on his way to do something. In 1989, although legally blind for a number of years, Sheldon typed “An Arizona Cowboy’s Memoir,” beginning with his earliest memories and moving forward to the present time. His thirst for knowledge and interest in world events remained to the end. He was always active and enjoyed the social life and entertainment in Tombstone. Sheldon will lovingly be remembered as a true pioneer of our time. Sheldon was preceded in death by his parents, his son John Sheldon Hovis Jr., and three sisters (Anna Page of San Francisco, Calif.; Alberta Bowman of Stafford, Kan.; and Mary Bills of Wichita, Kan.). He is survived by his daughter Sandra L. Daniel and son-in-law Kenneth R. Parker, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; granddaughter Stephanie A. Daniel of Plano, Texas; niece Darlene Knoche of Ceresco, Neb.; niece Marilyn Miller of Juneau, Alaska; great nieces and nephews of Nebraska, Alaska, and Wisconsin; niece and nephews by marriage RomelleCostanzi, James McGuffin, and Pete McGuffin, all of Wickenburg; and many who called him a “friend.” Words written by an unknown author best describe Sheldon: “Some people come into our lives and quietly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.” Sheldon has left lasting footprints on each of our hearts, through his memories, his love and his “love for life.” Rest in peace, our precious Pop, Grandpa, Uncle and Friend. The family wishes to thank the staff of Valor Hospice Care and Dr. Mayberry and staff for their dedication and the heartfelt kindness extended to our loved one. Services will be held at the Wickenburg Funeral Home, Wednesday (Sept. 24) at 11 a.m. Sheldon’s final resting place will be in a family plot in Wickenburg Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home. See Also: Find a Grave |
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