January 13, 1958 ~ September 9, 2021
Donald Ray Hoy, 63, went to be with his Heavenly Father on September 9, 2021. He was a devoted husband, father, pawpaw, brother, friend, and pastor. He will dearly be missed.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 at Southside Baptist Church from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Visitation on Saturday, September 18, 2021 will be held at First Baptist Church of Denham Springs beginning at 9:00am. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, of 41 years, his daughter Stephanie and husband Perry Bayly; his son Steven and his wife Kayla; five grandchildren, Nikolas and Michael Gonthier, Hayden and Charlee Bayly, and Tanner Ray Hoy. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Don is survived by his mother-in-law, Bertie Avants, his three brothers: Bob of San Diego, California; John and his wife Pam of Saraland, Alabama; and Bill and his wife, Debbie of Crawford, Texas.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Lillie Mae Hoy and his son Daniel Ray. In 1976 he graduated from Istrouma High School, received his BA from Southeastern Louisiana University, and his Master of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Don served in churches in Louisiana and Mississippi during his ministry from 1980-present. He also served as Civil Air Patrol Chaplain and a hospice chaplain with Bridgeway.
Don had an avid love for woodworking and flying. So much so, that he was in the process of building his own plane.
He now has gained his mansion prepared for Him by the Savior he loved and in whose presence Don now lives forever. We are certain the reunion with Daniel must surely have been a scene to behold. Don’s certain hope was in a life with Christ beyond the grave, enabling all of us to declare with the Apostle Paul, from whose text Don loved to preach: “We grieve, but not as those without hope.”
Don willingly laid down his life for his family and for the people he loved and served. Susan’s cousin, Mercer, may have summed up Don’s life best when the day after his death, she remarked, “Don was a sermon to see.” May we all leave such a legacy.
10 comments
Danny Hawthorne
September 16, 2021 at 11:27 am
My prayers for all the Hoy family during this time of your grief. Don was a witness for the love of Christ in his life.
Jack Alderman "Cracker"
September 15, 2021 at 10:36 pm
From my point of view, Don was one of God’s most obedient servants. Through Don, the Holy Sprit brought me back to a place I should have never left. As a pastor, Don was truly a caring and guiding shepherd. He was one of the men I ever knew.
Maria “Kitty” Thomas
September 15, 2021 at 12:41 pm
I had the pleasure of knowing Don through Civil Air Patrol. He was a true Christian gentleman and will be greatly missed.
Praying for strength, comfort, and peace for Don’s family and friends.
Susan Blanchard
September 15, 2021 at 5:29 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I never saw Don without a smile on his face. He was a blessing to all who knew him. Susan Blanchard and Stan Hoogerwerf
Cindy & Jennifer Ardoin
September 15, 2021 at 2:14 am
So sorry for your loss.
Ted and Betty Mooney
September 14, 2021 at 11:10 pm
So sorry for your loss. Don was a very special guy. Don will definitely be missed..
John Kojeski
September 14, 2021 at 7:13 pm
Don was a dear friend and will be missed by many. I’m so sorry for your loss.
JOHN MCCRORY
September 14, 2021 at 6:27 pm
Don was a wonderful friend and fellow member of the Civil Air Patrol! We flew together on many occasions and we even won an award for best flight crew at a flight clinic one year. He will be sorely missed!! Prayers for his family and friends for Peace and Comfort!
Carolyn and Dennis McGehee
September 13, 2021 at 9:42 pm
So very sorry. Our deepest sympathy.
Dennis, Carolyn and Matthew McGehee
Barbara Weaver
September 14, 2021 at 6:02 pm
May you find peace in knowing that Brother Don was welcomed home in the arms of our Lord and Savior.