Steve Allen Hooper

Steve Allen Hooper of Lithia, Florida, passed away peacefully while resting comfortably in his home on December 4th, 2025, at 74 years young.

Steve was born on April 12, 1951 in Ringgold, Georgia. He knew he wanted to travel and start a family, so he enlisted in the United States Air Force at 18 years of age and set off on an adventure.

The military life took him and his family all over, including Banbury, England.

In the early 1980's, while living in Marietta, Georgia, Steve was the head coach of the Fair Oak Lobos youth football team, leading them to two Police Athletic League Superbowl appearances over four years.

Steve had a passion to coach and teach youth not only about sports, but life.

He was last stationed at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, Florida and retired in 1989 as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of loyal service to his country.

Steve's post-Military career began with the Clerk's office in Hillsborough County, and this second chapter lasted 26

distinguished years including 21 years in County Audit. Steve's hard work led to him leading Hillsborough County's Audit team, as Director, for the later part of his career. During this time he was actively involved with The Institute of Internal Auditors. He traveled the country regularly teaching audit fundamentals to anyone who cared to learn. He earned designations including Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) , Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Control Self-Assessment. (CCSA), Accreditation in Internal Quality Assessment/Validation and an Association of Certified Fraud Examiner. He served as the President (two terms) of the Certified Fraud Examiner Tampa Bay Chapter from 2005-2006. He. remained as a board member for over a decade during which the chapter earned Chapter Of The Year multiple times. He is no doubt checking this obituary for errors regularly (love you dad).

Retiring (for good this time) in 2017, Steve settled into being a father, papaw, and mentor for all around him. He was a member of South Bay Church, giving his life to God.

Steve was an avid fan of NASCAR (car 88!), the University of Georgia Bulldogs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lighting, and any team his grandchildren played on. Never one to turn down a microphone, Steve enjoyed karaoke, working on his land, tootling around town to stores and restaurants, bowling, and spending time with family.

Steve was preceded in death by his father Luther, mother Gladys, brothers Jerry, Don, and Ricky, and bonus son Keith Holloway (Tabitha).

He leaves behind his sisters Pat, Shirley (Steve), and Bonita, wife Vanessa Holloway-Hooper, ex-wife Ginny Hooper, sons Doug (Zalle), Brian (Brandi), and Brad; and daughter, Amanda Barbieri (Kyle), along with grandchildren Ashley, Ethan, Kylan, Aiden, Kendall, Avery, Mason, Makenna, and Mia.

Later in life Steve became a mentor and father figure for Bill Holloway (Sheila) and was a wonderful papaw to grandchildren Andrew, Ryette (Caden), Brianna, Leiali, Michael (Ashley), Brittany (August), Brandon (Miranda), Danielle (Christian), Blake, and Devin.

This second extended family included five great grandchildren Adrianna, Bryson, Riley, Kolton, and Addison (and two on the way!).

Steve loved and was loved by many.

A celebration of his life will be held on February 28, 2026 at South Bay Church, 13498 U.S. 301 South, Riverview, Florida, 3578. Family 1:00-1:30, friends 1:30-2:00, Honor Guard 2:00, service thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve's name to the American Cancer Society.