J.C. Pappy Hoel
1990, Promotion
J.C. Hoel was born May 30, 1904, to John P. and Ivy C. Hoel
of Sturgis, South Dakota. He attended school in Sturgis, Spearfish,
Normal and Newcastle, Wyoming with football being his hobby.
As a boy he was always interested in engines and this was probably
why he became interested in motorcycles in later years. As a young
man he worked with his father furnishing and delivering ice to Sturgis
and Fort Meade. Later he became the owner of Canyon Springs Ice
Company and continued until electric refrigeration took over in 1936.
At this time, he decided to obtain an Indian Motorcycle franchise
and conduct a motorcycle shop, Hoel's Motors on Junction Avenue in
Sturgis.
He married Pearl Kinney of Rapid City, May 19, 1928 and to them was
born a son John E. Hoel, September 3, 1935.
He raised black angus on the home ranch near Bear Butte on shares with his
brother Ed. He bought a tract of land from a neighbor and this he sold to
the Cheyenne Indians of Montana. He later expanded his shop and when Indian
Motor Company discontinued he attained a Yamaha franchise which he continued
to sell until his retirement.
Thru his interest the Jackpine Gypsy Motorcycle Club was formed, later the
Black Hills Motor Classic and in 1982 the White Plate Flat Trackers Association
was formed with it's monument in South Sturgis.
He was awarded a Life Membership in the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club and
AMA. Among other honors he received were Number 1 plaque from the Sturgis
Chamber of Commerce for outstanding promotion of Sturgis, South Dakota.
In 1971 he received a plaque for tourism promotion form the Black Hills Badlands
and Lakes Association, a plaque from the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club
for years of service, a watch from the Indian Motorcycle Company, a trip to
Japan, watch and inscribed Winchester Rifle from Yamaha, Inc., and J.C. "Pappy"
Hoel day was proclaimed on August 14, 1983, by South Dakota Governor, William
Janklow.
The Sturgis short track was also named in his honor and in 1983 he received
the Dud Perkins Award for Outstanding contribution to the sport of motorcycling
from the American Motorcycle Association and a plaque from the Retread Motorcycle
Club International, Inc.
Pappy also received many other personal favors given him from magazines, local
newspapers, and his many friends and motorcycle enthusiasts.
J.C. "Pappy" Hoel passed away at the age of 85 on February 1, 1989 and is buried
in Bear Butte Cemetary, Sturgis, South Dakota. Memorial blue spruce and flowering
crab trees have been planted at the White Plate Flat Trackers Monument in his memory.
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