Dr. Ward Christopher Hooter Ii M.D.

Dr. Ward Christopher Hooter, II, MD

Dr. Ward Christopher Hooter, II, MD, long time OB/GYN in CENLA, passed away peacefully at home at circa 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2013, succumbing to prostate cancer at the age of 70.

The youngest child of Ward Christopher Hooter and Vivian Rose (Laurent) Hooter, both previously deceased. Dr. Hooter is preceded in death by his beloved nephew, Michael David Cruse (d1988).

He leaves behind, his only sibling, Patricia Gayle (Hooter) Cruse (husband James); loving wife, Rebecca Anne (Paul) Hooter; two children; Ward Christopher Hooter III (wife Krista) and Patricia Lynlee (Hooter) Linke, both of his first marriage to Sandra Lee (McGinty) Goldich; two stepchildren; Brent Alexander Trotter (wife Amy) and Brian Ashley Trotter (wife Virginia); five grand-children, Kevin Patrick Hooter (21), Nicholas Aaron Hooter (18), twins, Jillian Elizabeth Linke and Jessica Lee Linke (13), and Joshua James Linke (6). Extended family includes; Brian Paul Dauzat, Christian Preston, Savannah Preston, Victoria Garcia.

Born in Alexandria on the day after Valentines Day, 1943, "Sonny" had a charmed childhood. His paternal Grandmother (Bammie), devoted Aunt Bernice (Hooter) Harden, and of course previously mentioned mother and older sister, all happily spoiled him. Dogs (lots of dogs!), small game hunting, fishing, horses (Thank you! Uncle Bill (Harden), sports (CYO football) and general play dominated his early life.

A star athlete at Bolton High School, Sonny was offered a football scholarship at McNeese. But his "Purple & Gold" father would have none of it; "You're going to LSU to be a doctor!"

Fine, but first things first … at 17, Sonny eloped with Sandra (15), just babies even at that time, but their marriage lasted 17 years. Together, they received their education, starting at the newly opened LSUA, then to LSU main campus, and ultimately to New Orleans, where Sonny would graduate from LSU Medical Center and Sandra from LSU-NO (now UNO).

Dr. Hooter began his residency at "Big Charity", and as was typical, he bounced around the Charity Hospital System. He finished his internship at Huey P Long. Dr. Hooter even served as a Medical Reserve Officer (Major) in the Louisiana National Guard in the later years of the Vietnam War.

A Board certified OB/GYN, Dr. Hooter practiced medicine for over 40 years, most of that time at the Women's Clinic of Alexandria, with long time partner Dr. Gordon S. Bowers Jr. Over the years, Dr. Hooter also shared practices with Dr. Grover Baum (now deceased), Dr. Sam Bouz and Dr. Khaled Rabie. Dr. Hooter estimated that he had delivered over 10,000 babies during his career.

"Dad" was a dynamic spirit, to say the least. To his friends, he was the incarnation of energy, vitality and fun. To his patients and co-workers, he was an excellent physician with a fantastic knowledge of his trade. To his office staff, he was a super boss. To extended family, he was uber-generous. To his grandkids, he was their beloved "Pa". To Becky, he was a great husband. To Lynlee, a caring father and to Brent and Brian, the ever-patient step-father. In general, he was the empathetic family patriarch, who understood that the "slings & arrows" of life lead people, even normally "solid people", to do curious things from time to time.

And to me? Well, as I write this obit from the exact spot he spent his last good day (Saturday, June 1), seated in front of his pond at his acreage in Pineville, with his 3 dogs dancing around me, just like on that day, let it be known to all; he was my ever faithful father, my philosophical mentor, and the most significant influence in my life.

Daddy, I'm sure going to miss you. Love, Chris

Special thanks to Dr. Bassam Abi-Rached & staff at the Hematology Ontology Life Center, Dad's dear friend John Munsterman, his Women's Clinic co-workers & staff, and Hospice Compassus. Their combined help during his difficult illness was so greatly appreciated.

Funeral Arrangements by Hixson Brothers in Alexandria. Visitation Sunday, June 9, 2013, 5pm-8pm with a celebration of his life at 6:30p.m. in the Hixson Chapel. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church (Fr. Martin Laird presiding) at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2013 (motorcade depart Hixson at 9:30 a.m.). Internment at Greenwood Cemetery in Pineville at 11:30 a.m., Monday, June 10, 2013. Reception at Grace Presbyterian at 1:00p.m. on Jackson Street Extension.

He LOVED animals, especially dogs. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in the name of Ward C. Hooter, II to the ASPCA, P. O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929.

To extend online condolences to the Hooter family, please visit us at www.hixsonbrothers.com.