Gilbert Dalton “Gil” Schoonover, Jr., 63, of Temecula, California born and raised in Elkhurst (Clay County), West Virginia, climbed his final mountain on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022. He passed while hiking one of his favorite trails behind his home.

Gil was born on May 12, 1959. As a boy, he spent many days along the Elk river, hunting and fishing with his father, Gabo, and getting into mischief with his sisters and cousins.

An athlete and an avid outdoorsman, Gil spent his teenage years wrestling and playing football for Clay County High School (Class of 1977), and hiking around his favorite hometown trails, including Devil’s Teatable. He held many jobs around town: working on cars with his father at the local Clay service station, painting houses, and even growing and selling his own corn – he was particularly proud of his ability to grow his own, fresh food.

After graduating from high school, Gil attended West Virgnia Institute of Technology, earning a double major Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Mining in Engineering Technology (Class of 1983). He enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon acceptance into the Naval Officer Candidate School, where he trained and served as a weapons and navigations officer. Gil went on to serve on various submarine fleets, including the USS La Jolla, and retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 2003.

Gil’s desire to travel was well suited for service in the Navy – it was during these years that he traveled to many new corners of the world including Korea, Japan, Mexico, and all across the United States. While touring on the island of Oahu, Hawaii he met La Verne, his wife of 29 years. The two were married on New Year’s Eve 1993 in Southen California. Soon after they welcomed two children – their daughter Maile and son Keanu – as well as many animal companions.

Upon retiring from the Navy, Gil returned to his interests in cars, pursuing a career as a car salesman and internet sales manager. He worked for various dealerships including Honda, Nissan, Gosche Auto, Lexus, and finally, Temecula Valley Toyota. His customers and colleagues knew him to be hard-worker, who always had a kind word to say, a joke to crack, or a new plant-based recipe to share. He spread his optimism and love of life to everyone he touched – to know him was to share a smile.

Gil was blessed with several loving family members. He is survived by his wife of nearly 29 years, La Verne (Williams) Schoonover of Temecula, California; daughter Maile Schoonover of Santa Barbara, California; son Keanu Schoonover, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; mother Correna (Moore) Schoonover; sisters Vanessa (Scott) Hite of Port Republic, Maryland; Tanya (Roger) Wolfe of Green Bank; Cheri Burdette of Elkhurst; and Kelley (Marty) Gillenwater of Dunedin, Florida. He was an uncle to eight beloved nieces and nephews: Nikki (Jay McGhee) Morris, Eric (Chrissy) Morris, Dustin (Amy) Burdette, Matthew (Alysia) Burdette, Rachel (Michael) Ashworth, Brianna Hite, Elizabeth Hite and Piper Gillenwater. He is also survived by great-nieces and great-nephews: Blake Morris, Rustin Morris, Ever Burdette, Emma Burdette, Elias Ashworth.

Additionally, Gil leaves behind several dear brothers-in-law, dozens of cherished cousins, aunts and uncles, and hundreds of friends across the country.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Dalton “Gabo” Schoonover of Elkhurst/Clay, (birth) mother, Mary Elizabeth Marie Schoonover, and older brother Michael Marie.

Those who met Gil often described him as one of the most intelligent people they knew. He was a voracious reader and lover of learning. Later in his life, Gil found a interest in learning everything he could about health and nutrition. He shared his passion of plant-based food and healthy living with everyone met.

Always a kind word to say to a neighbor or a joke to crack – to know him was to share a smile and a laugh.

Gone far too soon, he will be most remembered as a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, and friend – and of course, for his long, luscious locks of "hippie hair."

Two services will be held between his homes of California and West Virginia. Please join us — In California: Wednesday, Nov 2, 2022 for a Celebration of Life, 12pm at Murrieta Valley Funeral Home; In West Virginia: Saturday, Nov 5, 2022, 10am at Lizemores Church of the Nazarene. 

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