Mr. J. Clyde Hooker Jr.

J. Clyde Hooker, Jr. of Plantation Road in Martinsville, died Monday, July 12, 2010 at his residence. He was born December 20, 1920 in Bassett, VA, the son of J. Clyde Hooker, Sr. and Mabel Bassett Hooker, both of whom predeceased him, along with a sister, May Hooker Toms.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Katherine “Kitty Sue” Bridgforth Hooker of the residence and a daughter, Katherine Hooker Boaz of Montvale, VA, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His education included graduation from Martinsville High, post graduate work at Riverside Military Academy and Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Military Institute, with Academic Stars as valedictorian of his class in 1942.

He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 752rd Field Artillery Battalion and served with the renowned Third Army in the European Theatre from August 1944 until the end of the War. He was awarded the Bronze Star, 4 campaign stars and discharged with the rank of Captain in 1946.

He worked tirelessly in the furniture industry during his entire career, beginning at Hooker Furniture Corporation following his World War II service. He served in various positions in marketing and sales and was elected President in December of 1960. He retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Office, December 31, 2000.

When he took the helm, the company had 375 employees, $4.4 million in sales and $170,000 net income. Upon his retirement, the Company has grown to 2000 employees, $250 million in sales and $15 million in net income. His vision kept the Company in the forefront of trends in the entertainment and electronics industries. He pioneered his company into the international arena by being among the first to import specialty furniture products. He led the Company in establishing the Hooker Educational Foundation which provides scholarships to children and spouses of Hooker Furniture and its subsidiaries.

His leadership and vision within the furniture industry resulted in serving as President of Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association, (now American Furniture Manufactures Association), and Chairman Advisory Board Dallas Market Center.

His numerous awards from his peers included The Pillar of the Industry Award-International Home Furnishing Representatives Association in 1977 and the James T. Ryan Award for Industry Leadership in 1985, followed by induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 1997.

His business acumen was sought by many and included service on a number of boards, including Piedmont Trust Bank, Piedmont Bank Group Bank Holding Company, Bassett Walker Knitting Company, Bassett Mirror, R. P. Thomas Trucking and numerous advisory boards supporting the community and furniture industry.

A life-long and active member in First United Methodist Church, he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and at the time of his death was Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He played a leading role in the million dollar church expansion and establishing the church’s Endowment Fund.

As a Boy Scout in the church’s Troop 63, he earned the first Eagle Award for the City of Martinsville in 1937, later serving as Scoutmaster. More recently he was recognized by the National Organization of Scouting by being selected as the recipient of Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, joining many other notables including President Gerald Ford, Astronaut Neil Armstrong and Governor John Dalton.

He gave generously of his time and resources serving on numerous boards and leadership positions. He was a founding member and past president of Chatmoss Country Club, headed the YMCA Steering Committee for $5.0 million capital campaign, and most recently led the successful drive to provide funds for the new SPCA building. He served on the boards of Memorial Hospital, Patrick Henry Community College, and Blue Ridge Mountains Council, Boy Scouts of America. For this service to the locale, he was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce with the Heck Ford Leadership Award, and the Men’s Round Table Distinguished Service Award. For “His Long Term Commitment to Improving Our City” he was presented with a Key to the City.

At his beloved VMI, he established and endowed the “J. Clyde Hooker, Jr. 42 Scholarship for Merit: and was instrumental in raising $1.4 million for the Foundation as National Chairman in 1979-81. At his 50th class reunion he and his fellow graduates presented the school with the largest class gift raised in the

history of the school -$5.7 million. For this and other service to his alma mater, he was awarded the school’s highest honor, The VMI Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

His philanthropy was recognized by the Community College System of Virginia in 2007 – when he was given the Chancellor’s Award for “Leadership in Philanthropy”. Piedmont Arts Association established the Clyde Hooker Award in recognition of his long-term support of the arts.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 12:00 Noon at First United Methodist Church with the Pastor Ron Mateer officiating. Interment will be private.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at First United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to Hooker Educational Foundation, P. O. Box 4708, Martinsville, VA 24115; Martinsville-Henry County SPCA, 132 Joseph Martin Hwy, Martinsville, VA 24112; VMI Foundation, P. O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 or First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA 24112.

Arrangements are by Collins-McKee-Stone, Martinsville Chapel.

“For online condolences, please visit www.collinsmckeestone.com”