James Douglas Hoopes

JAMES DOUGLAS HOOPES

MUSCATINE, Iowa – James ‘Jim’ Douglas Hoopes, 90, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at home.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life following the burial at the American Legion starting at 12:30 p.m.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com

James was born on November 19, 1935, in Muscatine, the son of Fred William and Grace Almyra (Gertenbach) Hoopes. He married Gloria ‘Dede’ Figg on February 28, 1960, in Muscatine.

Jim led a remarkably active life, serving as a horse judge for 25 years across 48 states and Canada. In addition to being a farmer and horse trainer, he was also a certified scuba diver. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Jim was a 50-year member of the Elks Lodge and was deeply involved with the American Quarter Horse Association, the Iowa Quarter Horse Association, and the American Paint Horse Association. His significant contributions to the industry were recognized with his induction into the IQHA Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Dede Hoopes of Muscatine; two children, Lisa Edwards (Dennis) and Christina Boar (Joel Byford): four grandchildren, Jake Diercks (Casey), Taren Tarango, Dylan Tarango, and Matthew Gassen (Hannah Howard); four great grandchildren; and two siblings, Sandra Morse, and Robert Hoopes (Jennifer).

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Dan Boar; brother, John Hoopes; and sister and brother-in-law, Bebe and Jim Hahn.

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