John E. "Jack" Hooper Jr.

John E. "Jack" Hooper, Jr age 88, died peacefully in his sleep at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh Monday January 12, 2026, following a brief illness. John (Jack to many) was born in Philadelphia, April 21, 1937. John is survived by his sister, Mary J. Lishok (Joseph) of Lawrenceville, GA and Brother Steve Hooper (Elizabeth) of Lakewood Ranch Florida and his cherished cat, Ashley. He was predeceased by his parents John E. Hooper Sr. and Ruth, Brother E. Dale Hooper (Barbara) and Brother Robert W. Hooper (Charlotte)

John graduated from California State Teacher's College (now California University of Pennsylvania) with a Teaching Degree and Indiana University of PA where he studied counseling. He put that training to good use teaching geography and history at Hollidaysburg Area School District in PA for 24 years. During those years he developed a loyal following of several former students who kept in touch and who were lifelong friends. He also served in the Army Reserves.

After retiring from teaching he took on various other jobs working at Mattern's Apple Orchard, Kennedy's Lumber Yard and finally at Phipps Conservatory where he enjoyed his interaction with visitors. He continued to make valuable long-term friends wherever he worked, one of whom recently commented that he "radiated love".

Being a geography teacher - he loved to travel. Every year during his summer break he traveled the United States or Europe to increase his knowledge of geography but also to satisfy his passionate love for pipe organs and steam locomotives.

When traveling in the US, he deliberately avoided the Interstate highway system in favor of US highways and local roads to be able to better experience each locale. This practice led to many interesting experiences including interacting with local inhabitants. No matter where he went, he made friends quickly perhaps because he was such a good listener. Once, in one of the Dakotas, his love of animals prompted him to stop and take pictures of a herd of cattle. He climbed a fence into the pasture to get a better photograph, perhaps even 'mooing' as some would do when seeing cows. The bull of the herd did not like the intrusion and charged Jack who had to make a hasty exit back over the fence to avoid being injured.

As mentioned, one of his passions was pipe organs and organ music; For most of his adult life he regularly attended organ recitals both locally and internationally, occasionally turning pages for renowned organists. If you mentioned a piece of classical music, he would often reminisce about a concert at a church somewhere in the world where he had heard that piece performed. During his last days, visiting friends from Shadyside Church comforted him by playing recorded organ music

He also had a love for steam locomotives and traveled anywhere he could where he would ride or chase classic steam engines.

.

He took great pleasure in having family and friends share in either of those experiences and was always eager to hear about the details of any organ performance you had heard, or experiences with a locomotive.

He also kept the post office in business singlehandedly by thoughtful mailings to many. If you were a recipient - you know what we mean. His ever-present small pocket notebook provided reminders and information from which he typed his special notes (not long on words but thoughtfully crafted) with a 50+ year old typewriter. Computers and cell phones were not part of his vocabulary, but he did depend heavily on his landline phone to sustain relationships. He often expressed the thought that he was better suited to have lived in the 1500's.

According to his wishes there will be no visitation, and he will be interred at Shadyside Presbyterian Church's Columbarium in Pittsburgh.

In lieu of flowers a donation in his name may be made to any one of these charities. Any local chapter of The Humane Society, e.g. Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh; Steam locomotive restoration and preservation charities like American Steam Railroad; the Organ Historical Society, or Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc.