Our beloved Pop, T.J. Hooks, went to Heaven on September 9, 2009 to meet those he loved that had prepared a place for him. He was met by his treasured wife of 62 years, Cleo M. Stephens Hooks. He was met also by his parents Emma Flowers Perry and Monroe Hooks; brothers S.R. “Dutch” Hooks, A. W. ”Dick” Hooks, C.L. Wiggins, W.O. “Billy” Flowers, baby sister, Ester Hooks; and his loving in-laws Vernon “Buddy” and Hazel Stephens.
Funeral service will be 2 pm Sunday, September 13, 2009 in the chapel of Broussard’s in Nederland with Bro. Billy Goodwin officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 8 pm Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the mortuary.
T.J. was born March 3, 1926 in Saratoga, Texas. He lived most of his younger years in the Hardin County area and graduated from Honey Island High School in 1943. He joined the U.S. Navy shortly after graduation. His tour of duty during World War II took him from the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea, through the Panama Canal and in the Pacific theater where he served until he received his Honorable Discharge in 1946. After leaving the Navy, he began working at the Pure Oil Company/Union 76/Unocal Refinery. T.J. and Cleo married in Kountze in 1947, had their children, James and Vernon, and later established their home in Port Neches. He is remembered by his many friends and co-workers after working at Unocal for 39 years and having lived in Port Neches for over 50 years.
He devoted his life to serving our Lord and Savior, his wife, his sons, the “Hooks Girls”, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, his work, and his many friends and family. He touched so many people’s lives through his experiences as a semi-pro baseball player, coach in Texas League, Pony Colt and All Star teams. His passions ranged from spending time with family , hunting in the Big Thicket, fishing at Toledo Bend and Rollover Pass, supporting PNG football, and his nephew’s, Dan Hooks, WO-S teams, his beloved Astros, and Dallas Cowboys. One of his favorite hobbies was working on anything with an engine on it, especially cars.
Pop is survived by his sons; James Hooks and wife Carolyn of Flower Mound, Texas, and Vernon Hooks and wife, Mary of Port Neches; 3 grandchildren: Steven Hooks and wife Melanie of Austin , Texas, Marcie McClellan and husband Montel of Newhall, California, and Jay Hooks of Flower Mound, Texas. Pop has two great-grandchildren; Natasha McClellan and Kayla Hooks. In addition to these family members is our adopted family; grandson Barrett Arnaud, Lezlie and Chris, Barbara, Kevin, and Lil’ Lisa, Dawn, Gabi, and Lili, Sandy, Tracie, and the many family and friends too numerous to mention. It is their love and support that helped us through these trying times. We will all miss Pop’s loving kindness, guidance, and patience. Rest easy now. Pop, there is no pain in heaven.
