James Ray Hooker

He was born in Lansing, Michigan where he later joined the United States Navy in 1967. While stationed at Mayport, he met his life partner and soulmate, Sandy Grigg. They were married October 16th, 1971 and made their home in Jacksonville. Jim worked in the auto industry for most of his life, painting, building, and restoring vintage cars. Next to his family, his love was cars. He had so much knowledge about vehicles and loved sharing his passion with others. The annual trek to the Daytona Turkey Rod Run every Thanksgiving weekend was a much-anticipated event every year.

James was preceded in his death by his parents, James and Marvelle Hooker, his brother John Hooker and his first wife Linda (Nelson) Hooker. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Sandra Grigg Hooker, his sister Barbara Hooker, his brother Steven (Sandy Hooker) Hooker, his two children Jason (Shelly Hallmark-Hooker) Hooker, Kelly Walton, his four grandchildren, Ashlynn Hooker, Aislan (Dallas Brown) Hooker, Mayci Johnson, and Madisyn Johnson, three great grandchildren, Cooper Ahrens, Parker Cannon and Naomi Paige, nieces Jamie (Christopher) Meoak, Tina (Jordan) Fox, Julie Gauthier, and nephew Nick (Elise) Hooker. James has many other family members that are survived in his death.

In lieu of flowers, there is a GoFundMe account in place to help Sandy with financial burdens and living expenses.

Services will be held Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home,940 Cesery Blvd. Visitation will be at 10 AM with service beginning at 11 AM. Graveside service with military honors will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. Family requests that everyone dress casually and comfortably. Jim didn’t like getting dressed up just to be hot and miserable so he would want everyone to be comfortable. Anyone wishing to drive their street rod, hot rod, etc. please feel free to do so, it is encouraged.