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RJ Hoy, Scottsville, VA, unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. RJ is survived by his parents, Ronnie and Donna Hoy, Scottsville, VA, his brother Jeremy Hoy (Mandy) his nephews Jayden and Bryce Hoy, all of Palmyra, VA, and his special friend of 25 years, Tiffany Carter (Will) and her daughter Abigail, of Concord, NC. Tiffany and Will opened their home to RJ for the past 8 months. Prior to his relocation to NC, RJ resided with Eddie and Delores Moore of North Garden, VA for many years. RJ is also survived by a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and special friends that he has known for many years.
RJ was preceded in death by his Maternal Grandparents Homer and Roberta Sullivan, his Paternal Grandparents Hank and Jeanne Snow. He was also preceded in death by a host of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins that he spent a lot of time with.
RJ graduated from Western Albemarle High School. After graduation, he worked for Charlottesville Rehab Equipment where he helped special needs children/adults with wheelchairs and other specialized equipment. After his medical retirement from Charlottesville Rehab Equipment, RJ worked for his dad at Ronnie’s Auto Service as a Service Writer for 20+ years. RJ and Ronnie retired in January 2024.
RJ has always been a strong, independent man who lived his “dash” to the fullest. He valued his friendships and maintained long-term relationships with a host of friends, as far back as his teenage years. He had special friends from Kluge Children’s Rehab Center where he spent a lot of his early teen days as a patient. As patients would come and go, RJ would always make a new friend and get a phone number so he could keep up with them and check on how they were doing. He just recently attended one of those special friend’s funeral, Jimmy Fortune, Jr. RJ shared some great memories of his time spent with Jimmy as a patient and as an adult and their special bond as Jimmy and RJ both were born with Spina Bifida.
Spina Bifida didn’t deter RJ from doing what he enjoyed in life. In fact, as a young child, if a doctor told him he couldn’t/wouldn’t be able to do something, RJ was determined to prove them wrong. Spina Bifida did present a lot of challenges for RJ over the years from birth to death, but he never let it define who he was. He never looked at himself as being different than others. In fact, his parents always pushed for him to be in a regular classroom and do regular activities just like the other students. He knew how to improvise so he could participate in a lot of activities, especially as a young child. RJ has been known to ride atv’s and even drive a car with a stick because he couldn’t use his legs.
His family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support shown to them with calls, texts, Facebook posts, visits, etc. Your love and support have meant a lot. In talking to those that knew RJ well, it has proved he lived his “dash” to the fullest. It also shows that others didn’t see RJ as disabled. Everyone saw past his disability and saw him as a strong, determined, funny, happy man who loved life, his family, friends, and all that crossed his path. That is the RJ that will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
The family looks forward to hearing more stories of the good times with RJ and the impact he had on your life. We want to hear his name and to know he isn’t forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a local animal shelter or a charity of your choice. Although RJ didn’t own a pet, he would always love the ones that he was around and would always make sure they were taken care of and loved to cuddle with them. He was excited to share the news with his Mother that he finally coaxed their family dog to lay at the foot of his bed. That was another testament to his determination and the love he wanted to share.
We thank God for sharing RJ with us. RJ taught us a lot about life and the value of family and friends. For that we say thank you! It’s not goodbye, it’s until we meet again. Love you always!
For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Service.