Thomas Hooper

Thomas Harold Hooper passed away January 8, 2018 in Fort Smith. He was born December 10, 1920 in Booneville, Arkansas to Alvin E. and Myrtle Wooten Hooper. Thomas graduated Booneville High School and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in Sullivan Lake, Idaho. After the CCC, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, as a radio technician, and was a veteran of World War II, having been stationed in Gibraltar, North Africa and Europe.

After his military service, Thomas enrolled at Oklahoma A&M College (Oklahoma State University) and graduated with a degree in Forestry. He worked for the Oklahoma Game and Fish and the U.S. Forestry Service. He retired in 1985 from the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Russellville.

Thomas loved the outdoors, working his flower beds and in his younger years he enjoyed hunting and playing golf and tennis. He loved to bass fish, and did so with his son and son-in-law until he was 90. He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his daughters, Martha Marlar and husband Tom of Van Buren, Emily Ralston of Fort Smith and Peggy Sprague and her husband David; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Susan Hooper. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, JoAnn; son, Harley Hooper; and a daughter, Sarah Hooper.

A graveside service will be at 12:00pm Friday, January 12, 2018 at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, with United States Army Honors. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com