Charles Lee Hooker, 101, of Beaumont passed away quietly on November 18, 2007, at Harbor Hospice.
He was born March 25, 1906, in Baird, Mississippi, the only son of Richard H. and Georgia T. Hooker. He attended Mississippi A&M until his father’s death put a premature end to his studies.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Hester Marguerite Winston Hooker, and by their granddaughter Courtney Lynne Collier. He is survived by sons, Charles Winston Hooker of McKinney and David Hooker of Beaumont, and daughter, Priscilla Collier of Spring, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Charles Hooker served in the National Guard in the Corps of Engineers. As a young man in Mississippi, Charles held many sales and managerial positions, mainly in the area of farm machinery, and had served as president of the Mid-South Farm Equipment Association. He moved to Beaumont in 1957 as manager of Law-Mill Service Co., selling the “Big Wheel” Yazoo lawn movers, and eventually became vice president of Yazoo of Texas, Inc.
In his youth, Charles was a pitcher for Mississippi A&M and also in semi-pro ball at Inverness, Mississippi. In addition to baseball, he enjoyed hunting and gardening, the company of good friends, and the telling of tales. After his retirement, he and Marguerite spent many happy years camping, fishing, and traveling through the United States.
Charles was a Rotarian, and he served as a deacon and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He and Marguerite were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Their pride and joy was always their family.
The family would like to express deepest appreciation to Dr. Gary Clayton, friend and compassionate caregiver, to the Rehab Staff at The Clairmont Health Center, especially Kurt, and to faithful friend, Fred Patterson.
A graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 24, 2007, at Indianola Cemetery in Indianola, Mississippi. Arrangements are under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont