Devon Hoover: Slain Michigan doctor's obituary calls him 'gift from God' whose 'early life was not all play'
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Detroit police are looking into a burglary at the house of Devon Hoover, a neurosurgeon who was killed. The 53-year-old was found dead at his home in Detroit's Boston-Edison District on April 23. Police think the doctor was fatally shot during a domestic incident.
A deeply moving obituary of the Michigan doctor is a poignant tribute to his life, describing him as a "gift from god" and an exceptional medical practitioner who shared a passion for gardening and was adored by all, both within his household and in the community. Moreover, police believe that suspect(s) reportedly entered through a rear window of his home late Saturday night, April 29, going into Sunday morning, April 30. It is unclear what was taken.
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(Facebook/ Devon Hoover)
'Devon Hoover's obituary'
Devon was the fourth child of seven whose early life included plenty of manual labor and hard work. "Devon was the fourth child of seven and the middle member of what the family affectionately called 'the three little ones,'" read the obituary. "He took initiative in this little group, planning their pretend games and determining the rules that governed their play. Games of Monopoly went on for days as he kept suggesting new rules to extend the game and helped negotiate bank loans for struggling players. His early life was not all play and included plenty of manual labor. Until he left for college, Devon worked on the family dairy farm--milking the cows, planting and harvesting crops, and doing many other chores alongside the rest of the family."
The statement continued, "One of his hobbies was tending his own small garden in the backyard, which he had filled with herbs and perennials. He also raised and sold potatoes during his teenage years. At the time of his death, he had been practicing for 27 years as a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of neck and back disorders. According to Ascension St John Hospital, Dr Hoover was recognized each year since 2008 "as one of Metro Detroit's most respected neurological surgeons in Hour Detroit magazine's annual 'Top Docs' rankings."
'Only he could meet his own standards!'
Furthermore, "Devon loved his home in the Boston-Edison Historic District of Detroit, Michigan. Since he purchased the home in 2008, he had been steadily transforming it room by room with period decor and carefully selected antiques. He was essentially the curator of his own museum, which he loved sharing with friends, family, and visitors. Devon had an eye for excellence across many areas of life, including his yard and hedges. He hired a landscape service for some of the outside maintenance, but the hedges were his specialty, and only he could meet his own standards."
"Devon loved flowers and gardening. Each week he went to Eastern Market and brought back bouquets to display in his home," added the statement. "Visitors always noticed the gorgeous fresh flower arrangement he kept in his entryway. He had recently installed a greenhouse in his backyard, designed as a replica of the one originally on the historic property. Devon always tended it himself and said that if he had another life, he would be a gardener."
The 53-year-old's mother, Lauretta Hoover, reportedly died four days after his death. "Devon is survived by his father, Clarence Hoover, Goshen, IN, and by six sisters," including, "22 nieces and nephews; and 8 great nieces and nephews." "Devon was a gift from God, a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He touched many lives with his kindness and generosity. We all will miss him greatly," the statement concluded.