I knew Matt as a Marine, and as a Deputy Sheriff. I worked with him many times. Marines are assured that their next duty station will be the streets of Heaven. I'll see you there, First Sergeant. Until then, Semper Fi. 

I am sorry that I just found out about Matt passing away. We hadn't seen each other for a few years. I worked with him in Yuma when he was our DARE officer. He was a great role model, person, and friend. My sympathies are with his family. I will miss him!

You will be missed my friend, thank you always for your words of kindness your guidance & your gentle ways.  I will miss you at our roundtable of mutual friends.  May God bless your family for I know they were number one to you I'm sure there is a huge void for all of them.  I will keep them forever in prayer.  Vaya con dios querido amigo!

I had a lot of respect for this man.
I started working closely with him at the Stratosphere, as a Hotel Ops Manager. 
I was honored that there was mutual respect and trust between us, on a business and personal basis.
He was a man I am honored to have had in my life.

Just think... life, like a mist, appears for just a day, then disappears tomorrow. all that we are can quickly fade away. replaced with tears and sorrow. if a man should die, can he live again? hear the promise God has made; He will call, the dead will answer, they shall live at his command, for he will have a longing for the work of his own hand, so have faith, and do not wonder, for our God can make us stand. and we shall live forever, as the work of his own hand. friends. of our God, though they may pass away will see never be forsaken. all those asleep who in God's memory stay, from death he will awaken. then we'll come to see all that life can be,,, paradise eternally.Job 14:13-15, john 6:40, 11:11,43, james 4:14 what if every word is true. mother and I used to talk and day dream about a time will this would be no more. big brother (mother said)

I just found out last night that Matt passed away, I knew him in high school and remember seeing him once since then, at one of our high school class reunions and he was the same warm, sweet guy he always was. Matt died WAY too young, he still had so much to do. He was such a goofball, but then, he was a kid when I knew him, full of fun with an easy laugh. Matt was one of the friendliest people I ever met in my life, he was undaunted by people, just embraced us all. So hard to imagine such a genuinely good guy was taken so soon.  I had a little talk with him last night before I went to sleep and then this morning when I was watching the sun come up I toasted him with my coffee and told him to just fly. Bless his heart. To those who loved him and shared his life, I want to say that he was a great person and all my memories of him are of a kind, wise soul who deserved all the happiness he had in life.  He was loved.

There's no words that I csn express the way Matt has treated me my mom and my brother. I'm not his biological son but he sure treated me as I was his own son along with my brother. He was the best man for my mom and couldn't ask for s better one than this wonderful person Matthew Swanson Hooker. He was somebody that I wanted to be around everyday and every moment I could with him. Matthew Swanson Hooker you will be missed deeply and I will always miss u love u and be thinking of u everyday.

My dearest friend thank you for being there when I was learning how to find my own way in the world.  May your girls find peace in knowing you're another star in the heavens shining down on us all.  My love and prayers to you today and always.

Kenny Thomas told me today of the passing of Matt. My condolences to the family. Matt and I did some good things, we touched some lives and made a difference.

My father was the man I aspire to be like. He is a role model and an inspiration not just to me and my family but everyone around. He will and always be in my thoughts and everywhere I go. I will always have my guidance from the best First Sergeant in the Marine Corps and I will carry on the name and memories that we both shared. For a man to do so much for his family and everyone around him and asking nothing in return is a man that I will always love and respect. You have taught me so much and made me a better man. I love you dad and always will. Oorah First Sergeant and Semper Fidelis dad.

Kathy and I were saddened to hear of your passing. You and I spent many hours in a SO vehicle back in the day my friend and instructing at the academy. Thank you for those memories.

Matt, thank you for getting me interested in law enforcement and particularly the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.  I will never forget the day in 1987 you showed up at my house on base housing at MCAS Yuma in your S.O. uniform asking if I was interested in the S.O. reserve program.  I always wondered how you knew I was thinking about a law enforcement career.  God speed, and God bless, I am saddened to hear of your passing and you will be missed.

Matt, I remember working with you and how you helped a lot of kids with DARE.  You changed a lot of kids lives.  You will be missed.

I lighted this candle to symbolize the light you held which burned so bright, the glow of the flame brings me warmth and comfort as my world has seemingly turned upside down and inside out. I can not breath, nor can I cry. I feel hopelessly empty and numb inside. I miss you more than words could ever express. I love you so very, very much dad?? 
Your loving daughter,
Missa

My prayers and sincere condolences are with your family at this time, especially my dear friend, Amy.  Without Amy, I would not have know you at an early impressionable age. You were a person of high regard to work with as an adult. I am proud and honored to have known you and call you friend!  May God bless your family and comfort them during this time.

Matt,

You were a great man, you will be truly missed. May you rest in peace my friend.  Condolences to the Hooker family

Matt... I just learned of your passing.  Another Marine sent to guard the gates of heaven.   You will be missed my friend.  You made such an impact on so many kids in Yuma and lit the way for them to a better life through your example.  Not to mention for a rookie deputy learning the ropes.  God speed and God bless my friend.  Semper Fidelis.

Thank you for taking me in when my own turned me away. My fondest memories...your comfort during a hurricane!! Man I was scared. And your stern love! I do love and miss you. Be at Peace, Matt. Do me a favor, please keep an eye on my 3 goddesses up there, especially my momma. You know she's a bit of a wild child. I miss her.

Of all the sad things we may endure. The saddest is in saying farewell Uncle. Our loved ones may die but they live on in our hearts and minds. To have and an amazing Uncle and Father like you, is to have experienced a very special gift. You ll always have a special place in our hearts .
May the angels in Heaven welcome you into the perpetual light of their fold., and send us comfort in this time of storm. May the the prayers of those you love be with you as you transit in glory to our Heavenly Father . 
Forever in our hearts my dearest Uncle Matt .

You made a big impact in my life growing up you'll be missed

Love you and will be thinking of you always

This man was like a dad to me! So many times did he get into my behind w Melissa for all the trouble we thought we could hide. But like when I was gonna be married n I asked Matt to give me away he was honored. I wish he had bt my grampa got jealous. I always will cherish the memories I had growin up in his home n around him. You will be miss so much! I wish I couldve given you a huge hugg n kiss ..Bt untill we meet again. LOVE YOU!!

One of these mornings won't be very long
 You will look for me and I'll be gone
 I'm going to a place where I'll have nothing, nothing to do
 But just walk around, walk around heaven all day. R.I.P. Cousin Matt! I will treasure your memory in my heart. So blessed to have connected with you. Hookers For Life!

I have known Matt for 36 years, He was my teacher,mentor,dad, brother,and friend. He taught me so many things and I owe my life to him. I am so proud to know Amy and Melissa have grown into such wise,strong and beautiful woman. Matt has been there for so many people I pray they will all Pass it on and by doing so pass on his memories.    I pray that God give you  and your family strength and comfort at this time of your loss.  R.I.P. Matt   There is no more pain.  Only a party going on in Heaven.

Words are never enough to express what we feel in our hearts.  I know God put you in each of the lives you touched because we needed you at that particular time.  I can never thank God enough for allowing me the time I got to spend with you.  God needs you with him now! I pray for your soul in heaven, and for everyone who loves you!

"to be brave is to cry but still fight on."

Words can never express the pain of me not getting to know you sooner, you stole my mom & brothers hearts & became the man & father they were missing in life. The moments i did have with you were brief, but something that will never be forgotten. God took an angel from us too soon, but heaven definitely has gotten a little brighter knowing you are there watching over us. I love you step dad & you will always be missed.

May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console the Hooker family and gently wipe away the tears from their eyes. In the name of the father, son and holy spirit. Amen

I love you, I miss you but I know you will always be watching over me. You have taught me so much and for that I will be forever grateful. My heart and soul is now empty without you but I know you are in great hands doing wonderful things and working your charm and magic everywhere you go, and for that it brings me a sense of peace.

To Amy and family; I am so sorry for your lost. May God support you all day long, til the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes. Then in His mercy may he give you a safe lodging, and holy rest and peace at last. He will grant you Serenity to accept the things you cannot change, courage to change the things you can, and wisdom to know the difference. May God bless and keep you. Matt was a good man in every way. RIP. Nyla Ferrell Las Vegas, Nevada

My rock, my confidant, my father, my friend. You have instilled in me your morales and values and your ethics. You gave me the ability to help or touch each and every person that I might encounter because it's just the thing to do. I am so proud of the man you were and all the good you have done. There will never be another that could compare. I love you father and I thank you for all that you've done, not just for me but for every individual who's life you changed. 
Love,
Melissa Hooker

You always lit the way for me, now it is my turn to light your way home for you. I love you Dad and I hope your journey was peaceful, full of love and a lot of light. I am not the same without you!!!!

Dad, I am so lost without you. I am scared, angry, discombobulated and  missing my best friend. I could call you in the middle of the night to talk to you and you would always listen. You were my rock when Matthew Gregory died and   you gave me the strength I needed to breathe. Now I can't catch my breath. I love you so much and miss you terribly. Wish I could wake up from this nightmare.

OBITUARY

Matthew Hooker

15 May, 1950 – 29 November, 2014

Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary & Cemetery

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services