John Tobe Hooper

JOHN TOBE HOOPER July 20, 1923 - Dec. 14, 2004 Mr. Hooper was born on a cattle ranch located in Swisher County, Texas, near the town of Plainview. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1940 at the age of 16. After working in Lubbock, Texas for a year, he enrolled at the University of Texas and worked his way through school with the help of his dear friend, Horace C. Barnhart. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Hooper volunteered for pilot training in the United States Army Air Corps, which he completed in early 1944. After completing transition in multiple engine transport type aircraft, he was transferred to the South Pacific Theater where he remained until the war ended. He returned to The University of Texas and completed a Bachelor of Business Degree in May 1948. Mr. Hooper elected to enroll in a new degree program for business graduates entitled Masters in Professional Accounting. While working on this degree, he was employed by the University as a teaching associate and taught Elementary Accounting. He was one of the first to complete this degree and in May 1950 he also passed the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant. In June 1950 he moved to Houston, Texas and was employed by the International Accounting Firm of Barrow, Wade, Guthery, and Company, who later merged with Peat, Marwick, Mittchell and Company. Mr. Hooper met his future wife, Marilee Filippone in October 1949, who finished her Bachelor of Business Degree in Accounting at The University of Texas. They were married in November 1950 and were blessed with four children, David, Neil, Lee Ann, and Jay, during their 54 years of marriage. Mr. Hooper served in various financial, legal and administrative positions for 18 years with Mr. Paul F. Barnhart, Petroleum Engineer and Independent Oil Operator. During his employment with the Barnhart Interests, he completed a Doctorate of Law Degree with honors at the Bates College of Law of the University of Houston. He received The W. St. John Garwood Award in recognition of excellence in the study of law for four semesters. He was elected to the Order of the Barrons, an honorary legal scholastic society of the University of Houston. In 1965, Mr. Hooper became Financial Vice President for McCorrmich Oil and Gas and served in that capacity for seven years, before opening his own Law Firm. Mr. Hooper and Mr. William Pannill joined their firms together and practiced under the name of Pannill and Hooper, Attorneys at Law. In the last year's 10 years of his legal practice, Mr. Hooper returned to practicing law by himself, with his long time legal secretary, Linda Dankert and his wife, Marilee Hooper as his accountant. Mr. Hooper was member of the Masonic Lodge of Texas and a Certified Public Accountant for over 50 years. He was longtime member of Chapelwood Methodist Church in Houston. After he retired in 1990, Mr. Hooper elected to live in the Brenham and Burton area. He found his church home at St. John's United Church of Christ, Burton, Texas. Mr. Hooper is survived by his wife Marilee, his sons Neil and Jay, his sisters Betsy Hooper, Eleanor Ann Dean, and Dorothy Gaudin, his brother in law, Hurbert Gaudin, a niece, five nephews and several grandnieces and grandnephews. Pallbearers will be Mr. Harley Ponder, Dr. William Welch, Mr. Jess Noland, Mr. Bill Pannell, Mr. Don Lehto, Mr. Steve Miller, Mr. Fred Agdern, and Dr. Bill Eikenhorst. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Richard Brown, Mr. Paul F. Barnhart, Mr. Rush Record, Mr. Richard Skinner and Mr. Bill Biddison. Visitation will be held at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors, 1010 Bering Drive, Houston, Texas on Thursday, December 16, 2004 between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Church services will be held at St. John's United Church of Christ, Burton, Texas, on Friday December 17, 2004 at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Cemetery located at I-10 and Eldridge Road. The Reverend Glenn Schoenberg will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. John's United Church of Christ Building Fund, P. O. Box 180, Burton, Texas 77835.