Michael Lewis Hooton

Michael Lewis Hooton, storyteller extraordinaire, AKA Pops, Papa, Papa Hoots and Santa Papa, passed away on the morning of December 23rd, 2024, surrounded by his daughter and dear friend Lane after a weeklong fiercely-fought battle in the CCU at UW Medical as a result of a major heart attack. He was, as Lane says, 72 going on 17.
Mike was born on August 25th, 1952 to Bill and Pat Hooton in Oakland, CA. A military family, they traveled the country, including two stints in Oak Harbor. They loved Oak Harbor and when Bill retired from the Navy, he became an officer with the OHPD, allowing the family to stay in the town they loved and Mike got to spend all of his high school years at OHHS, making both friends and memories for life. Later, he became active in the '71 class reunion committees and old acquaintances became new lifelong friends.
Shortly after graduating from OHHS, Mike moved to California, where his folks had moved to be close to family, and he and his dad built Hooton Tire Co in Sacramento, which later morphed into Hooton Tire and Video when he saw the potential of VCR's. Mike met and married Val in 1972. Heather joined the family in 1973 and Jason followed in 1979.
Moving back to the town they loved, Mike and Bill opened Movieland Video in Oak Harbor in the spring of 1984. Mike loved the video business and all the great customers. When it snowed, he would often head out to pick up or deliver movies and games. As his and Val's parents aged, Mike sold the video store so he could care for them.
Mike supported his kids in whatever they did, watching or coaching sports teams, chaperoning dances, etc. Many of his children's friends looked up to him, and saw him as a father figure, affectionately referring to him as "Papa Hoots." There was always an extra plate at Mike's house if someone needed it. Later, when granddaughter Bri came along in 1992, he was her biggest fan, attending every practice and game with his special team-matching soccer chairs.
Family and friends alike knew that Mike would probably have the solution to any problem. He was everyone's first call. He loved to tell stories about his life experiences and anyone who spent time with him was sure to enjoy at least one.
Mike's favorite time of year was Christmas, the season of greatest love. He was Santa to granddaughter Bri, with whom he had many decades of Christmas joy and teasing, followed by his most recent years as Santa Papa to great-grands Waylon and Willow. He was looking forward to Christmas with grandson Austin this year. We will keep the Santa Papa spirit alive in our hearts and actions forever.
In retirement, he spent most of his time with his beloved Boxer dogs, the latest of which was his sweet girl Bella. As Mike is laid to rest, the ashes of his bygone faithful companions will be placed beside him, keeping each other company in perpetuity, as was his request.
No matter what life brought him, Mike took it in stride. His bright blue eyes never stopped twinkling. He loved in a heartbeat, forgave easily, and never missed wishing special holiday greetings to friends and family. To know him was to love him.
Mike leaves his wife of 52 years, Valerie; daughter Heather; granddaughter Brienna, her husband, Trey, great grandkids Waylon and Willow; son Jason, his partner, Talia, and grandson Austin, along with dearest friends Lane Campbell and Mike Haun, beloved nieces and nephew, second mother, Gerry Mann and a host of friends. He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Pat; his sister Charlene; brother Frank and dear friend Jeff Kral.
Mike's memorial service will be held at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home on January 24 at 11am, followed by family burial at Maple Leaf Cemetery and a Celebration of Life at El Cazador from 2-4. We'd love it if you'd share your memories of Mike at the Celebration!