Thomas Lee Hooker

Thomas Lee Hooker, beloved husband, father, GP (grandpa), teacher, and friend, passed away on July 10, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. Born on July 8, 1945, to Paul and Norma Hooker, Tom grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1963. He went on to earn his degree from Earlham College in 1968, where he was a proud member of the men’s volleyball team. That 1967 team was later inducted into the Earlham Hall of Fame in recognition of their camaraderie and athletic excellence. On July 5, 1969, Tom married Vicki Manning. Together, they raised two children, Brian and Erin.

Tom began his career as a schoolteacher, first at Friendsville Academy in Tennessee and then at Indian Heights Elementary School in Kokomo. During that time, he earned his master’s degree in education from Indiana University. He later managed Delco Park and retired from Delphi after more than 30 years. Even in retirement, Tom’s passion for education endured. He served as a substitute teacher at schools throughout Howard County, often teaching the children and grandchildren of former students and friends. He also enjoyed covering local prep sports for the Kokomo Tribune.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Tom was a Chicago Cubs fan and an avid golfer at Green Acres Golf Course, where he lived for nearly 40 years. Yet, his favorite teams were always the ones he coached during his children’s youth and the ones his grandchildren played on in later years.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Norma Hooker; father and mother-in-law, George and Edith Manning; his brothers, Michael and James Hooker; brothers-in-law J.P. Manning, Kenneth Manning, Lloyd Manning, Troy Hobbs, Edward Fanjoy, Cliff Vowell, and Fred Hensley; and sisters-in-law Lila Hobbs, Judith Young, Erma Coffey, Peggy Manning, and Hattie Manning.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Vicki; his son, Brian Hooker and wife, Angela; his daughter, Erin Courtney and husband Charles; and his cherished grandchildren, Regan Hooker, Jacob Hooker, Graham Courtney, Louis Courtney, and Elliott Courtney. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Kingseed and husband, Rex; sisters-in-law Glenna Hensley, Marla Vowell, Lulan Fanjoy, and Beverly Grimm; brothers-in-law Johnny Coffey and Tim Grimm; as well as fifteen nieces and fourteen nephews.

We will love and miss him greatly. Our hearts grieve, but we are not without hope, taking comfort in knowing he is in the arms of Jesus.

The family will receive friends on August 2, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden, with a memorial service to follow immediately.

Vicki extends her heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Wellbrooke of Kokomo, especially the dedicated caregivers of Room 105 and Guardian Angel Hospice.

A scholarship for a student pursuing a career in education has been established in Tom’s honor. Contributions can be made to the Thomas L. Hooker Scholarship Fund at Community First Bank of Indiana.