Colorful Career Ended by Death:
Funeral services for John C. Stoops, 52, Adams county clerk and one of this region's most colorful character who died last Sunday in a Spokane hospital, were held yesterday afternoon at the Trinity Methodist church with the Rev. Richard Decker officiating. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery with the local Oddfellows lodge attending. Mr. Stoops' death was not unexpected as he had been in ill health for a number of years and had been seriously ill off and on for over a year.
"Johnny" as he was affectionately called by his hundreds of friends, became one of the most widely-known colorful characters in Adams county through his association with the Ritzville Hill Billies. He was the outstanding comedian in the Hill Billies' many performances in the county and elsewhere and other members of the musical organization didn't consider their organization complete unless Johnny wa with them. During the past year he was unable to make more than one or two apearances because of his illness. He played the banjo. Mr. Stoops began his career with the Hill Billies by paying "end Man' in musical minstel shows, and soon his unusal clowning ability became recognized wherever the Hill Billies appeared.
He was born Jan. 27, 1888 in Arkansas and moved to Missouri with his parents at an early age. His parents came west when he was about 11 years old and settled in Ritzville. Mr. Stoops attended Ritzville high school, from which he graduated in 1909, remaining a loyal member of the alumni association since that date. He was very prominent during his school days as an all-around athlete and was especially proficient as a baseball player.
After graduating from high school, he worked for a time as an electrician, helping to wire what is now the Desert Hotel. He then worked in Davenny's store, learning the barbering trade on the side. He was married on June 10, 1912 to Miss Leota Cox, who had lived in Spokane only a few years, coming here from Minot, N. D. He soon entered the barber business with Jim Woods as his partner. Later on he entered in a partnership with G. "Slim" Nickell, who now lives in Lind. He operated the first shop of his own in what is now the liquor store. Later on he operated the shop in the Pastime Cigar store and still later bought the O. K. Shop, which he owned at the time of his death.
In 1938, Stoops ran for county clerk on the democratic ticket and won the election by a large vote. He had suffered periodically from rheumatism and a heart ailment for more than 15 years and during the last few years his condition became critical. He was a lifelong member of the Oddfelows lodge and was past noble grand.
Besides his widow, Leota, he is survived by one son, Haven of Spokane, two brothers; Sam of Wichita Kansas and Earl of Los Angeles, Calif.; and one sister, Mrs Flora Johnson of Tacoma.
RJT August 1 1940 Sue Gardner & gapwork90
Funeral services for John C. Stoops, 52, Adams county clerk and one of this region's most colorful character who died last Sunday in a Spokane hospital, were held yesterday afternoon at the Trinity Methodist church with the Rev. Richard Decker officiating. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery with the local Oddfellows lodge attending. Mr. Stoops' death was not unexpected as he had been in ill health for a number of years and had been seriously ill off and on for over a year.
"Johnny" as he was affectionately called by his hundreds of friends, became one of the most widely-known colorful characters in Adams county through his association with the Ritzville Hill Billies. He was the outstanding comedian in the Hill Billies' many performances in the county and elsewhere and other members of the musical organization didn't consider their organization complete unless Johnny wa with them. During the past year he was unable to make more than one or two apearances because of his illness. He played the banjo. Mr. Stoops began his career with the Hill Billies by paying "end Man' in musical minstel shows, and soon his unusal clowning ability became recognized wherever the Hill Billies appeared.
He was born Jan. 27, 1888 in Arkansas and moved to Missouri with his parents at an early age. His parents came west when he was about 11 years old and settled in Ritzville. Mr. Stoops attended Ritzville high school, from which he graduated in 1909, remaining a loyal member of the alumni association since that date. He was very prominent during his school days as an all-around athlete and was especially proficient as a baseball player.
After graduating from high school, he worked for a time as an electrician, helping to wire what is now the Desert Hotel. He then worked in Davenny's store, learning the barbering trade on the side. He was married on June 10, 1912 to Miss Leota Cox, who had lived in Spokane only a few years, coming here from Minot, N. D. He soon entered the barber business with Jim Woods as his partner. Later on he entered in a partnership with G. "Slim" Nickell, who now lives in Lind. He operated the first shop of his own in what is now the liquor store. Later on he operated the shop in the Pastime Cigar store and still later bought the O. K. Shop, which he owned at the time of his death.
In 1938, Stoops ran for county clerk on the democratic ticket and won the election by a large vote. He had suffered periodically from rheumatism and a heart ailment for more than 15 years and during the last few years his condition became critical. He was a lifelong member of the Oddfelows lodge and was past noble grand.
Besides his widow, Leota, he is survived by one son, Haven of Spokane, two brothers; Sam of Wichita Kansas and Earl of Los Angeles, Calif.; and one sister, Mrs Flora Johnson of Tacoma.
RJT August 1 1940 Sue Gardner & gapwork90
Colorful Career Ended by Death:
Funeral services for John C. Stoops, 52, Adams county clerk and one of this region's most colorful character who died last Sunday in a Spokane hospital, were held yesterday afternoon at the Trinity Methodist church with the Rev. Richard Decker officiating. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery with the local Oddfellows lodge attending. Mr. Stoops' death was not unexpected as he had been in ill health for a number of years and had been seriously ill off and on for over a year.
"Johnny" as he was affectionately called by his hundreds of friends, became one of the most widely-known colorful characters in Adams county through his association with the Ritzville Hill Billies. He was the outstanding comedian in the Hill Billies' many performances in the county and elsewhere and other members of the musical organization didn't consider their organization complete unless Johnny wa with them. During the past year he was unable to make more than one or two apearances because of his illness. He played the banjo. Mr. Stoops began his career with the Hill Billies by paying "end Man' in musical minstel shows, and soon his unusal clowning ability became recognized wherever the Hill Billies appeared.
He was born Jan. 27, 1888 in Arkansas and moved to Missouri with his parents at an early age. His parents came west when he was about 11 years old and settled in Ritzville. Mr. Stoops attended Ritzville high school, from which he graduated in 1909, remaining a loyal member of the alumni association since that date. He was very prominent during his school days as an all-around athlete and was especially proficient as a baseball player.
After graduating from high school, he worked for a time as an electrician, helping to wire what is now the Desert Hotel. He then worked in Davenny's store, learning the barbering trade on the side. He was married on June 10, 1912 to Miss Leota Cox, who had lived in Spokane only a few years, coming here from Minot, N. D. He soon entered the barber business with Jim Woods as his partner. Later on he entered in a partnership with G. "Slim" Nickell, who now lives in Lind. He operated the first shop of his own in what is now the liquor store. Later on he operated the shop in the Pastime Cigar store and still later bought the O. K. Shop, which he owned at the time of his death.
In 1938, Stoops ran for county clerk on the democratic ticket and won the election by a large vote. He had suffered periodically from rheumatism and a heart ailment for more than 15 years and during the last few years his condition became critical. He was a lifelong member of the Oddfelows lodge and was past noble grand.
Besides his widow, Leota, he is survived by one son, Haven of Spokane, two brothers; Sam of Wichita Kansas and Earl of Los Angeles, Calif.; and one sister, Mrs Flora Johnson of Tacoma.
RJT August 1 1940 Sue Gardner & gapwork90
Funeral services for John C. Stoops, 52, Adams county clerk and one of this region's most colorful character who died last Sunday in a Spokane hospital, were held yesterday afternoon at the Trinity Methodist church with the Rev. Richard Decker officiating. Burial was in the Ritzville cemetery with the local Oddfellows lodge attending. Mr. Stoops' death was not unexpected as he had been in ill health for a number of years and had been seriously ill off and on for over a year.
"Johnny" as he was affectionately called by his hundreds of friends, became one of the most widely-known colorful characters in Adams county through his association with the Ritzville Hill Billies. He was the outstanding comedian in the Hill Billies' many performances in the county and elsewhere and other members of the musical organization didn't consider their organization complete unless Johnny wa with them. During the past year he was unable to make more than one or two apearances because of his illness. He played the banjo. Mr. Stoops began his career with the Hill Billies by paying "end Man' in musical minstel shows, and soon his unusal clowning ability became recognized wherever the Hill Billies appeared.
He was born Jan. 27, 1888 in Arkansas and moved to Missouri with his parents at an early age. His parents came west when he was about 11 years old and settled in Ritzville. Mr. Stoops attended Ritzville high school, from which he graduated in 1909, remaining a loyal member of the alumni association since that date. He was very prominent during his school days as an all-around athlete and was especially proficient as a baseball player.
After graduating from high school, he worked for a time as an electrician, helping to wire what is now the Desert Hotel. He then worked in Davenny's store, learning the barbering trade on the side. He was married on June 10, 1912 to Miss Leota Cox, who had lived in Spokane only a few years, coming here from Minot, N. D. He soon entered the barber business with Jim Woods as his partner. Later on he entered in a partnership with G. "Slim" Nickell, who now lives in Lind. He operated the first shop of his own in what is now the liquor store. Later on he operated the shop in the Pastime Cigar store and still later bought the O. K. Shop, which he owned at the time of his death.
In 1938, Stoops ran for county clerk on the democratic ticket and won the election by a large vote. He had suffered periodically from rheumatism and a heart ailment for more than 15 years and during the last few years his condition became critical. He was a lifelong member of the Oddfelows lodge and was past noble grand.
Besides his widow, Leota, he is survived by one son, Haven of Spokane, two brothers; Sam of Wichita Kansas and Earl of Los Angeles, Calif.; and one sister, Mrs Flora Johnson of Tacoma.
RJT August 1 1940 Sue Gardner & gapwork90
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