Benjamin Ross Hooker Jr.

Services for Benjamin Ross Hooker, Jr. 90, of Lufkin, will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 5, 2013 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Keith Jones and Luther Bolenbarker officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park with military honors by the United States Air Force.

Mr. Hooker was born January 31, 1923 in Broaddus, Texas, but grew up in San Augustine, the son of the late Ora (Wells) and Benjamin Ross Hooker Sr. He passed away Thursday, August 29, 2013 in a local nursing facility.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Betty; daughters, Cecilia Johnson and Pam Strickland; son-in-law Larry Strickland; grandsons, Chad and Chris Johnson, Eric and Danny Strickland; and great-granddaughter, Annabelle Johnson.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Hooker was preceded in death by his brothers, Rudy and James Hooker, and his son-in-law, Myrl Johnson, Jr.

Mr. Hooker was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He practiced his Christian faith and was a man of great integrity, principle, and humility. Mr. Hooker was a descendent of the original New England British colonists as well as Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300". He was also a member of FDR's NYA. He was the "salt of the earth" and a member of the dwindling "Greatest Generation". He served his country in the United States Air Corps in the European Theatre in England and France. He was awarded the EAME Ribbon with 4 Bronze stars, the American Theatre Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and 3 overseas service bars. He was a participant in the D-Day invasion, keeping an extensive scrapbook of historical pictures and mementoes including Dwight Eisenhower's original letter to his troops telling them that "the eyes of the world are upon you". His oral recollections of the war are on record in the Library of Congress.

After traveling through France from Normandy to Marseilles, he was then trained for a land invasion of Japan. Fortunately V-J Day occurred before he had that "opportunity". Mr. Hooker was able to return to England for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, visiting with wartime friends and comrades, and to England and all 5 beaches of Normandy for the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

Pallbearers will be Chad Johnson, Chris Johnson, Larry Hooker, Buddy Williams, Danny Strickland, and Cody Capps.

The family would like to invite family and friends to a reception at the Senior Citizens Center on Valley Drive following the funeral and interment.

A SOLDIER DIED TODAY

author unknown***

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast;

And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes everyone.

And 'tho sometimes to friends his tales were perhaps a joke,

All his buddies listened quietly for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Ben has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer for a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family, going quietly on his way;

And the world won't note his passing, 'tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state

While thousands note their passing, and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young

But the passing of a Soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

It is not the politicians with their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.

He was just a common Soldier, and his ranks are growing thin,

,

But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline in the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY"

*****Even though several authors have put their own name and spin to

this poem, the original base is of unknown origin.

With appreciative credit given to the unknown author, this poem has

been edited and paraphrased.