Hilton Hooper

Services for Dr. Hilton Arthur Hooper, 85, of Tyler are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 1, 2006 at the Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Richard Luna officiating. A Private burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Tyler. Dr. Hooper passed away at a local hospital on June 29, 2006, after a short illness. He was born on January 13, 1921, to Rev. Oscar and Florence Hooper in Palestine. After living many different places in the Northeast Texas area while his father preached as an itinerant Methodist minister, he completed high school in Brenham, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree and entered dental school at Baylor University, College of Dentistry, Dallas, in 1940. He married Estelle Clayton, his beautiful high school sweetheart, on December 26, 1943, and they have lived happily together for 62 years. He served our nation during World War II in the U.S. Army and made five round trips across the Atlantic Ocean on Medical Hospital Ship Platoons as a dentist for the soldiers going to and from the war in Europe. When Pollard Memorial United Methodist Church was formed 51 years ago, his family was on the charter rolls, and he served many years in the Chancel Choir, as well as on many other committees and boards of the church. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Smith County Dental Society, East Texas Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. "Granddoc", as he was lovingly called by his grandchildren and others, will be remembered for his outgoing personality, his dry wit, and his desire to help his fellow man. He loved photography, flying airplanes, and boating, especially on Lake Tyler. Upon retirement from his dental practice in 1996, he was pleased and proud to say that he successfully practiced dentistry in Tyler for over 50 years. He leaves a legacy with his two sons following in his footsteps as dentists in Tyler. He is survived by his beloved wife, Estelle Clayton Hooper of Tyler; son, Dr. James Hooper, Tyler; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Raymon and Sunday Hooper, Tyler; grandsons and spouses, Justin and Kate Hooper, Arlington, and Jonathan and Lori Hooper, Frisco; and granddaughter, Haleigh Hooper, Tyler; one great-grandson, Brantley Jon Hooper, Arlington; nieces and nephews. Memorials in honor of Dr. Hooper may be made to the American Heart Association or Pollard Memorial United Methodist Church Music Department or Foundation. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Hilton Hooper

January 13, 1921 - June 29, 2006