Dr. Linda Crawford Hoover

Dr. Linda Hoover, 72, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024, surrounded by family.

She was born Linda Crawford to Delaine Travis Crawford and Loy Catherine Barnett Crawford in Temple, Texas on May 3, 1952.

Linda grew up in Big Spring, TX with her three siblings and a close extended family. Those strong family ties brought her to Texas Tech in 1970 to study nutrition at the College of Home Economics, following in her sister Carolyn’s foot steps.

Linda’s family has a legacy of its own at Tech. Her mother Dr Catherine Crawford, and all of Linda’s siblings attended Tech. Linda’s uncle Elmer Tarbox was recently inducted into the Tech Ring of Honor, and there’s a Masked Rider in the family as well.

After teaching in nutrition at TCU, Linda returned to Lubbock in 1990 where she was on faculty for 30 years, and Dean of Human Sciences for 19. She was a great source of inspiration for many, and worked closely with her colleagues to create and grow new programs within the college. Her body of work has left a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Linda’s love language was food. She loved spending time in the kitchen preparing a favorite family recipe, or trying out a new interesting dish she found online. She loved a good restaurant, and always spent extra time to read the menu and study the dishes.

She also loved to travel, exploring the world with close family and friends, and treasuring every moment.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and sister Carolyn McGee.

She is survived by her daughter Emily Hoover, sister Joan Chandler, brother in law Jim Chandler, brother David Crawford, and brother in law Mike McGee.

 Donations can be made in her name to the Dean Linda C Hoover Fund or to the Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery, both in the College of Human Sciences.