Lake Secession, SC - Gordon John Hooker, 85, died Thursday, August 21, 2014 at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.
He was born in Cheektowaga, New York on June 28, 1929. He was a veteran of five wars including Venezuela, Portugal, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1944-1957 and the U.S. Air Force from 1957-1970. He was wounded in the Korean War and the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, along with many other medals and awards. He retired January 1, 1970 after 26 years of outstanding military service.
His passion was fishing, from the West Coast to the East Coast, on any lake during his travels with his kayak boats. He earned several degrees including his Doctorate Degree from San Bernardino State University. Throughout his life he enjoyed meeting new people and joking about meeting “Happy Hooker”. He valued his wide circle of friends and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the V.F.W.
Survivors include his wife of 64 ½ years, Ruby K. Hooker; his daughter, Mary C. Hooker-Groves and husband, Michael A. Groves; son, Gordon Dwayne Hooker and wife, Mary L. Hooker; six grandchildren, Joseph M. Billingsley and wife, Bobbi J. Billingsley, Ross A. Billingsley, Patrick M. Groves, Jason L. Pierce, Todd J. Pierce, and Tabitha D. Pierce; and three great grandchildren, Jalen Johnson, Kaleb M. Billingsley and Cambria J. Billingsley.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2014 at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, August 24, at Sullivan-King Mortuary, 3205 North Highway 81, Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cancer Association of Anderson, 215 East Calhoun Street, Anderson, SC 29621 or to the American Heart Association, 3535 Pelham Road, Suite 101, Greenville, SC 29615.
Sullivan-King Mortuary