Jeran Joe Hooten, DDS

Dr. Jeran Joe Hooten claimed the victory of eternal life with Jesus on February 13, 2024. Jeran had a zest for life and was a never-ending source of unconditional love for his family, friends, patients, and orthodontic office teammates. He loved the Lord Jesus and regularly attended church throughout his life. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Jeran was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, and lived on a ranch where his father raised Angus cattle and Columbia sheep. When the cold winters became challenging, his parents decided to move south. After researching the best place to live, they decided on Austin, Texas. Jeran attended Baker School, University Junior High School, and McCallum High School, where he made many lifelong friends.

After graduating from McCallum in 1960, he attended the University of Texas at Austin where he became a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Because he made up his mind to become a dentist in 7th grade, Jeran applied to dental school during his sophomore year of college and was accepted to the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. He was 19 years old when he began dental school! In his dental school class, he met several fellow students who have been lifelong friends.

During his junior year at McCallum, Jeran met a girl named Janet. After dating for seven years, he married her two weeks after his graduation from dental school. Jeran had been accepted into an army internship, and he was assigned to Letterman General Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco. Newlyweds Jeran and Janet left Austin in their new Corvette for a year-long “honeymoon” in San Francisco. In exchange for the internship program, Jeran gave two additional years to the army as a captain. He was assigned to a small security post near Petaluma, California, where he enjoyed being the only dentist on post. He was able to travel around California and the Pacific Northwest with his new bride.

Orthodontic residency back at the University of Texas Dental Branch came next. With the help of his father, he built an orthodontic office on Shoal Creek where he practiced for 48 years! He also had a satellite practice in Taylor, Texas. His feeling of going to “work” each morning was one of joy. “I can’t wait to go to the office!” Many perfect smiles came out of those 48 years. He had the respect of dentists and his team members as a result of his high standards in the orthodontic field. His many patients touched his life, and he attended football games, basketball games, graduations, weddings, and other events in support of them and their families.

Jeran was the ultimate professional and always pursued more C.E. than required. For many years, he served in leadership positions in the Capital Area Dental Society and the Texas Dental Association, as well as the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists. Twice he was voted “Dentist of the Year” for the Capital Area Dental Society. It was at their board meetings that he became fond of Pecan Fudge Balls.

Jeran was a member of the Rotary Club of West Austin for over 50 years, serving in several leadership roles, including President. His generosity and love for rotary inspired him to become a Paul Harris Fellow.

Jeran and Janet have held season tickets for the Austin Symphony Orchestra since 1975. Jeran was honored to have been a member of the Knights of the Symphony and Lord Chancellor XXXVI.

Jeran learned to ski as a young teenager in 1956 behind his parents’ boat on Lake Austin. He quickly excelled and became a competitor at local, regional, and national tournaments. He trained with several other young men who became close, lifelong friends. Water skiing was a passion and a family affair, and both his children and grandchildren have been involved in tournament skiing. Jeran made many beloved friends in the ski community.

Just being on the water was not enough. He also became a tournament official as a judge, scorer, and driver. When it became difficult to train on Lake Austin, he and a friend built competition ski lakes on land between Hutto and Taylor. These lakes became known as Frame Switch Ski Lakes, and countless fun hours were spent there. In fact, when asked to travel, Jeran declared he would love to travel I35 and SH79 to Frame Switch! The University of Texas Water Ski Team continues to practice at Frame Switch, and Jeran’s grandson Carter Hooten is carrying on the family tradition as a member and the president of the team.

Jeran was a beloved husband to Janet for 57 years, a devoted father to Jennifer and Dax McCracken and Jody and Stephanie Hooten, and a caring grandfather to Madeleine and Bailey Muselwhite; Vivi, Mary Margaret, and Elizabeth McCracken; and Caroline, Carter, and Christian Hooten.

His loving parents, Joe and Janis Hooten, and sister, Janeil Bernard, preceded Jeran in death.

We appreciate the outpouring of love that our family has received. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the: Capital Area Dental Foundation: https://www.capitalareadentalfoundation.org 4407 Bee Caves Road, #621 Austin, TX 78746

or

to the Austin Symphony Orchestra: https://give.austinsymphony.org/af23

Austin Symphony Orchestra Attn: Development Office 1806 Rio Grande Street, Austin, TX 78701.

A visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish on Friday, March 1, from 5-7 p.m. 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731.

A celebration of life service will take place at LifeFamily Church, Ketterman Family Chapel on March 2, at 2 p.m. 8901 West Highway 71, Austin TX 78735. Please feel free to wear colorful clothing to the service.