Leonard Hooker

Leonard R. Hooker 95, of Red Oak, TX passed away November 30, 2011 at his home in Red Oak, TX.. He was born October 10, 1916 in Hillsboro, TX, the son of Alex and Edna Cliett Hooker. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in1935 and married Billie Ruth McBride on November 4, 1942. Funeral Services are scheduled for 1 P. M. Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church, 310 Roaring Springs, DeSoto with Rev. Kevin Strempke, officiating. Interment will be at 3:30 P. M. at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro, Texas. Family visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Alan Bullard, Dick Hickman, Terry Mehaffie, Steve Collins, Charles Hart and Ron Knight. Honorary Pallbearers are Dave Adams, Wilbur Berry, Jake Hilback and Charles Reed. Leonard served in the U. S. Army Aviation Engr. Corp. 1942 -1946 in the European Theatre. He was employed by Texas Power and Light Co. for 40 years. He retired in 1979 as a Control Center dispatcher in the Dallas office. Leonard loved gardening and sharing the bounty of his gardens with his friends and family. He enjoyed fishing and playing golf. He played his first golf game at the age of 65 and scoring a hole-in-one" at the age of 79. Leonard was a member of the First Methodist Church and the Crusaders class in DeSoto, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marguerite Rice, brothers Cliett Hooker and John Hugh Hooker. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Billie, daughter Sandra Lynn Neely of DeSoto, son Gary Lee Hooker and wife Patti of Red Oak. 2 grandsons Brian Neely and wife Amy of Wylie, Travis Hooker and wife Stacey of McKinney, 1 granddaughter Janet Hooker Walker and husband Brad of Farmersville, TX. Two great grandchildren Brady and Addyson Neely of Wylie, TX. Two brothers Louis Hooker, Tyler, TX, Billy C. Hooker of Hillsboro, TX and sister Mary Pickett, Chandler, TX. He had 16 nieces and nephews and a host of relative and friends.