Jeff Shoop, 51, of Custer, SD died Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at the VA Black Hills Health Care System in Hot Springs, SD with his wife, Jan, at his bedside.

Jeff was born May 27, 1957 in Elk Point, SD to Lavina ((Jeffries) and Jim Shoop. He was eventually big brother to three sisters. Jeff grew up in Vermillion, SD and spent his boyhood days riding his bike all over town, pulling salamanders out of window wells as well as fish and turtles out of the river. His fishing adventures grew into a lifelong passion. Jeff graduated from Vermillion High School in 1975. He joined the United States Army becoming part of the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One". He did two tours of duty in Germany, one tour in Korea and was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm.

Jeff married Goodrun "Goodie" McMurphy in January of 1982. Goodie traveled through his tough army years with him. He lost Goodie to lung disease in June of 2007.

On Jeff's retirement from Army service, he pursued another passion. He took the green thumb he inherited from his Granma Shoop and enrolled in the landscape architecture college at Kansas State University. Upon completion of his degree, he moved to the Black Hills in 2006. Here, in the Hills, he found his heaven on earth. Jeff drove jeeps in Custer State Park. He loved driving the jeeps through the rocky hills sharing his love of the Hills with all passengers telling them about the flowers and grasses, naming the birds and spotting the wildlife. It was in the Hills that he found his horse, Ace, and his dog, Nomad. It was also here, in the Hills, that he found the love of his life, Jan. They were married March 15, 2008.

Jeff was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in January. His stubborn nature prevailed as he fought this disease and held onto the life he loved as long as he could. He was a gentle man; he forgave easily, accepted wholly and loved deeply.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Jan, of Custer; mother, Lavina Shoop of Custer; three sisters, Kim (Allen) Canete of Custer; Peggy (Jaime) Ramos of Temple, TX; Jennifer (Kevin) Reinhart of Pierre, SD; three step-children, seven step-grandchildren, eleven nieces and nephews, a grand-niece and a grand-nephew.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father and one step-grandchild.

Memorial Services will be held 12:00 (noon), Sunday, August 17, 2008 at the Game Lodge grounds in Custer State Park with Pastor Kent Narum officiating.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.