Jack Robinson Hooton

Jack Robinson Hooton
of Binghamton, New York"Grant that what we sing with our lips, we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts, we may show forth in our lives."
Jack Robinson Hooton, 72, died Monday, December 5, 2005, at Riverview Manor Nursing Home, Owego, N.Y. He was predeceased by his parents, Gordon "Jack" and Tommye Hooton. He is survived by his cousins, James Middlebrooks, Panama City Beach, Fla., Janice Hooton, Dublin, Ga.; and his two beloved cats, Catherine and Pushkin. A Macon, Georgia native, Jack graduated Cum Laude from Wesleyan Conservatory in Macon, Ga. He was stationed in Japan during his two years of service in the US Army. When he returned to the States he became organist at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Atlanta, Ga. He obtained his Master of Sacred Music Degree from the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary, New York City. Among Jack's teachers were Robert Baker, Charlotte Garden and M. Searle Wright. During his graduate studies he was organist at St. John's Church, Far Rockaway, Long Island. In 1960 Jack moved to Binghamton, N.Y., to become organist and choirmaster at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church for the next ten years. He was a member of the Guild of the Royal School of Church Music, a music director of the Summer Savoyards, a chorus master for the Tri-Cities Opera and directed numerous musical productions at Trinity Church and the Jewish Community Center. Jack then returned to his former home on St. Simons Island where he served as organist and choirmaster at Christ Church, Frederica, and later the First Presbyterian Church of Brunswick, Ga. He was associated with and became an adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers from 1979 until 2004. He was an accomplished Bridge player and teacher. Jack retired to the Binghamton area in 1999. He spent the next five years as Church Musician at St. John's Episcopal Church, Marathon, N.Y. Jack will be remembered as a musician, teacher, choir director, leader and friend who inspired generations of many ages and abilities to work together cooperatively, performing quality music of many forms. Jack's inspiration lives on in the excellence of his students' music. Most sincere thanks is extended to all medical staff and caregivers for their conscientious caring throughout Jack's extended illness.
A Celebration of Jack's life will be held at Trinity Memorial Church in Binghamton early in 2006. For those wishing to honor Jack's life in a memorial, kindly consider the choral music program at Trinity Memorial Church, 44 Main Street, Binghamton, N.Y. 13905, or St. John's Church, PO Box 49, Marathon, N.Y. 13803, or your local animal shelter.