Grayson County TXGenWeb

Howard C. Hooker was born July 23, 1922 in Van Alstyne Texas to A. R. Hooker, Sr. and Willie Mae Page Hooker. He died in Van Alstyne on November 8, 2007, surrounded by his family.

He married Ruby Jewel Anderson on June 9, 1941, in Sherman, Texas. Together, they enjoyed life's journey for sixty-six years! Indeed, Howard considered Ruby his greatest treasure, the jewel of his life!

Howard believed that there was no greater calling than to serve his fellow man and that there was no greater contribution than to help the weak. He knew that those who bring sunshine into the lives of others could never keep it from themselves. He embraced kindness in giving, and he knew that giving
to others created love. Howard's service as a leader in the community grew deep roots and flourished as a longtime member and Deacon of the Fairview Baptist Church, as a six year member of the Sherman ISD School Board, as a lifetime director for the Texoma Exposition and Livestock Show, Inc., as a valuable member of the Shriners and as a 32nd degree Mason in Travis Lodge 117 for over fifty years.

As a businessman, Howard owned and operated the Hooker Motor Company. His business credo found expression in his philosophy that an individual is obligated to keep trying to do the best he or she can every single day. Achieving excellence through serving others is the rent we pay to be living. Honesty
in our dealings with others is the very purpose of life and not something we do only in our spare time. When he was not working, he loved to play dominoes, tell stories that communicated his wisdom to all who would listen, spend time outdoors, and laugh, love, and reveal a heart filled with grace.

Survivors include his wife Ruby, his two sons, Billy Howard Hooker of Dallas, Bob L. Hooker and his wife Lynn of El Reno, Oklahoma, his daughter, Rebecca Hooker Ham of Sherman, his brother Alton D. Hooker and his wife Mary Ann of Denison and their family, and one sister, Clara Hembree and her family of Alpharetta, Georgia.

Howard Hooker leaves behind nine loving grandchildren: Theresa J. Harper and her husband Mark of Sherman, Lee Ann Kersey and her husband Jerry of Yukon, Oklahoma, Ruthie Hooker of Mineral Wells, Texas, Sonjia Hall of Springs, Texas, Josh Hooker of Weatherford, Texas, Aaron Leblanc of Lake Livingston, Texas, Leslie and Aaron Moore of Lake Livingston, Texas, Jarrod Ham and Jennifer Harris of Stafford, Texas, Scott and Julie Tonroy of Weatherford, Texas, and Zach and Carrie Tonroy of Jacksonville, Texas.

Four great-grandchildren were blessed to love Howard: Mekyla Burt and her husband Brad of Sherman, Harlee Hooker of Yukon, Oklahoma, Justine Kersey of El Reno, Oklahoma, and Drea Marie Hills Tonroy
of Jacksonville, Texas. His great-great-granddaughter, Britton, will have stories about her Papaw to last
a lifetime!

Many nieces, nephews, and extended families and friends learned from their Uncle Howard that they did not live for themselves alone. They became better people when they learned that their lived would always be connected by a thousand invisible threads. They understood the interconnectedness of life when Howard reminded them that their actions would always run as causes and return to them as results.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents and eleven brothers and sisters.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons Aaron LeBlanc, Jarrod Ham, Josh Hooker, Zach Tonroy, Scott Tonroy and Stephen White.

From: Catherine Caldwell
Notice was posted on Nov 8, 2007