Tyson Ray Hoopes
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July 18, 2006- December 06, 2023
Tyson Ray Hoopes was born July 18, 2006 to Jessica Challis Hoopes and Dustin Ray Hoopes
in Cedar City, UT. He was 10 days late and born with thick black hair. He spent many hours in
his Bungy Baby Bouncer getting exercise and being in on the action. He was scared of the
vacuum cleaner and all Halloween decorations. He enjoyed his summer walks around Cedar
City and the SUU campus with his great Aunt Joy Challis and lots of days at the pool with his
Mom. His Grandparents Richard and Kathi Hoopes and John and Julie Challis adored him and
loved to match wits with his keen intellect and skeptical attitude in games and conversation. He
always had a bright smile and mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Tyson took Chinese lessons as a four-year-old and could recall each lesson easily. When he
started kindergarten he was reading at a fifth-grade level, which made sense, because he loved
to read. He was always a quick study and schoolwork never seemed hard for him. He began
learning the piano from his mom at six and was naturally gifted at it. He played a fun pirate
piano solo for his first-grade talent show.
Tyson was involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and his church youth group. He was up for
trying just about anything once: horseback riding, playing on jet skis, paddleboarding,
skateboarding, online gaming, wrestling, surfing, boogie boarding, pickleball, track, cross
country, swimming, golfing, skiing, mountain biking, camping, and hiking. He was musical and
also learned to play the clarinet, all the percussion instruments and the alto saxophone. He
listened to music all the time- from Afro Beats to Hip Hop and Rap. He also liked nice clothes and shoes, even having some special occasion Nike Airforce shoes he only wore to dances.
Tyson had finished up a season of golf, a sport he had grown to love, and marching band, in
which he was given the honor of drumline captain. He was just beginning a season of
swimming and was excited to improve his times on the butterfly and backstroke. He consistently
received good grades in his High School classes and was discovering his talent for writing.
Tyson had many good friends whom he cared deeply about. He also influenced others for good
as he participated in many service projects with his church group. He was very responsible and
self-motivated. He found multiple jobs all by himself and got himself to work and early morning
seminary. When he put his mind to something he accomplished it.
Tyson had a close relationship with his brother Jack and loved to tease his sisters Ruby and
Hazel. He and Jack enjoyed gaming together and had many things in common. Jack looked up
to him immensely.
Tyson told us many times that he understood the power of repentance and the divine gift of
forgiveness made possible by the Atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
In a devastating moment, a decision made in haste, Tyson died by suicide. His passing provided the gift of many of his organs being donated to people in nearby states. He passed away on December 6, 2023 at the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT.
Tyson Ray Hoopes is survived by his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents Clara
Maxwell and Denise Ivory. He is also survived by his brother Jack, sisters Ruby and Hazel and
many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.
We know that he knows he was loved by his family and friends. We also know that we will be
able to see his smile, hug him again and that all our tears will be wiped away by the Master
Healer, Jesus Christ.
Tyson will be honored and remembered at his funeral services at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2023 at
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Worland, Wyoming. His remains will be buried
at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the Tyson Hoopes Memorial Foundation or via our Venmo @Dusty-Hoopes. Checks may be sent
