Alton Ford Hooper

Alton Ford Hooper was born on August 26, 1934, and passed away on March 1, 2026, at the age of 91 years and 6 months. He was a longtime resident of Madison County for more than eighty years, and was a resident of Hearne, (Robertson County) for the past nine years. He was the son of D.W. and Nannie Ford Hooper of Normangee and grew up around Mecca and Normangee. He would later live in Madisonville during his career years.

In the latter months of 1954, at the invitation of his lifelong friend, Roger Hines, he went on a double date and met Frances Reynolds. These two quickly fell in love and got married in June 1955. Ford and Frances would enjoy a great marriage lasting nearly seventy years before Frances passed on in February of last year. They would raise two children: James David and Lauren Michelle, in Madisonville. They were a lifelong couple with a near inseparable bond, sharing many lasting friendships over the years with so many folks of this area.

Ford and Frances both shared a strong, durable faith in Jesus. They were faithful members of several local Baptist Churches. Upon moving to Hearne, they joined the First Baptist Church, where James serves as Pastor. Ford talked a lot about going to Heaven, especially since Frances passed, and now that longing has been fulfilled. They are both now in our Lord’s presence.

As for his career, Ford loved to drive trucks and operate heavy road machinery. His favorite role was sitting behind the wheel of a road grader or maintainer, a role he enjoyed for some forty years. Chances are high that you’ve driven some of the roads he has helped maintain, especially over in Precinct 3. He also had a side occupation he enjoyed, being a cattleman on his 85-acre place, just south of Normangee. He and Frances built a new home there in the 1980’s and enjoyed life on the ‘Hooper Hill’ for more than thirty years.

Ford was well known among the local folks as a kind-hearted, friendly man. In many ways, he seemed quiet and reserved, but his good friends and family knew him to be quite a lively character. For the most part, he was a man of humble and modest means and conservative disposition, and a friend or neighbor who was easy to respect and to love, due in part to his concern for being helpful to others. A great source of pride was his family. Among his favorite titles was Dad, Papa, Brother & Uncle.

Ford was preceded in death by wife, Frances; his parents; his brother Kal Hooper; and sister, Eula Mae Marino.

Those surviving Ford are son, James Hooper (Judy); daughter, Lauren Martin; and grandkids, Ben Hooper (Amber), Whitney Hooper and Jared Martin (Mysti). As for great-grandchildren, he had two: Emersyn and Aiden Hooper. Other family surviving him are sister, Mary Jo Patterson (James David); sister-in-law, Linda Hooper; and numerous nephews & nieces, and several other relatives.

Ford lived his ninety-one years to the max! He had his struggles along the way but was in great health until the past few months. As the oldest member of his family, this patriarch was a highly respected and truly beloved man, who will be truly missed by his family and many others. Oh, not a perfect man by any means. He had plenty of faults, yet a man saved by God’s Grace, and now residing in Heaven.

A funeral service, officiated by pastor Charles Higgs, and Ford’s son and pastor, James Hooper will be held in the chapel of the Madisonville Funeral Home on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11 A.M. Visitation will take place one hour before the service starting at 10 A.M. Following the service, Ford will be laid to rest alongside his wife in the Ten Mile Cemetery.

The family wishes to extend its appreciation to the staff of Crossroads Nursing & Rehab Center of Hearne, and nurses of Allumine Hospice as well for their wonderful care of Ford. It should also be noted that Judy Hooper has, for the past year, taken excellent care of Ford, helping him with meals, washing, house-cleaning and medical appointments too. Thank you for this heart-felt service!

We couldn’t have asked God for a better Dad. He was among the best! He’s been the solid leader of this band!

Final arrangements for Alton Ford Hooper are under the compassionate care and direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.