Donald Eugene Hooper

In Loving Memory of

Donald E. Hooper

02/08/1947 - 03/12/2026

On March 12, 2026, Donald E Hooper, 79, of La Vernia, Texas passed away with his family surrounding him. He was deeply loved and will be sincerely missed.

Don, as he was always called, was born on February 8, 1947, in Mowequea, Ill., to Leland and Norma Jean (Hosslinger) Hooper. He graduated from Fairfield High School in Illinois in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in October of that same year. Don served in the Vietnam War, earning multiple medals for his bravery and service.

In May 1969, at a USO dance at Lockburne AFB in Columbus, Ohio, he met Linda. Danced one dance and informed her that they were going to be married. Seven months later they married at the Church of Christ in Croton, Ohio. He shipped out for Japan in January 1970. His new wife and daughter, Michele joined him in February to enjoy a four year tour at Yokota AFB, Japan. That one dance turned into 56 years of love, fun, moving at the whim of the Air Force and two more daughters, Jennifer and Joanna both born in Japan.

Following his Air Force retirement in 1985 as MSgt with Ground Radio Repair, Don went on to work at Northside ISD overseeing the electronic equipment for the schools from which he also retired. After retirement he worked tirelessly with the Veterans organizations to see that veterans received the benefits that they deserved even through he himself suffered from PTSD. He continuously praised and participated in the counseling sessions that veterans could access for this silent and sometimes deadly disease.

He may have left Viet Nam but Viet Nam did not leave him. In addition to PTSD, exposure to Agent Orange left him with prostrate cancer, eye cancers, heart disease, and finally Parkinson's Disease. The once strong soldier found himself without the strength and dexterity to play his two rounds of golf per week at Fort Sam with his fellow veterans. He loved golf, maybe not as much as his family, but it ran a close second.

But Parkinson's took his ability to walk or use his hands with which he could always repair anything, it even took his ability to swallow solid food. He ended his days in a wheelchair.

However, Don being Don did not let that be the end of his enjoyment in life. He had many friends in the Lakeside Nursing Home, both fellow patients and staff. He rolled the halls, making friends as he always did. He never seemed to meet a stranger. He will be missed by all, including fellow veterans from different organizations in the San Antonio area and great neighbors in La Vernia.

He has left a loving and caring family to include his wife of 56 years, Linda,

3 daughters, Michele, Jennifer and Joanna. 2 granddaughters, Ashley and Faith. 5 grandsons, Joseph, Charlie, James, Zachary and Danny. And 2 great grandchildren, Ki'Layah and Julian. Don also leaves 2 brothers, Steve and Tom and sister Pamela Sue (Susie).

The family desires to honor his wishes and is asking that in liu of flowers that contributions be made to a veteran organization of your choosing. These are just some suggestions:

https://soldiersangels.org/donate/

https://operationhomefront.org/ways-to-give/

https://sacvf.org/donate/

https://fisherhouseinc.org/how-to-make-a-donation/

Don will be laid to rest on April 9, 2026 at 1:45 pm at Shelter 5 at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery with full honors.