Kenneth "Ken" Lamb Hooper

Ken, Dad, Hoop, Ranger or Ranger Rick when you were doing something wrong; Ken was always involved. He graduated Jordan High School in Long Beach in 1965, shortly after he enlisted in the Navy because he did not want to be in the Army. He was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska for 3 years where he worked as a radioman and in his off time got his pilot license and became a Bush Pilot. He also worked at the Orpheum Theater doing lighting and staging in Kodiak. He had great stories about Alaska. Ken was later deployed to Vietnam; He was assigned to the USS Kearsarge (CV-33) providing antisubmarine protection for the 7th Fleet. He served 3 tours there and was very proud of being a veteran.

Ken was first married on January 25, 1969 to Karen Ferguson. His son Kyle was born 5 years later. He was married again in 1981 to Tonda Reed. Tonda came with 2 young children Shannon and Shane. He adopted them both 2 years later. In 1987 he married Bonnie Merritt and she too came with 2 kids, no adoption was necessary he felt close enough to call them his.

Ken's Scouting story began in 1978 as a Lifeguard for the Long Beach Area Council; that lasted only as long as the summer so he became an Assistant District Executive. In October 1981 he began working as the Ranger for Will J Reid Scout Camp in Long Beach, CA. This was a perfect match for Ken, he got to use his handyman skills, mechanic skills and love for all around fixing things and still be an effective mentor to the youth. His youngest son Aaron was able to take what Ken taught him about auto mechanics and turn it into a career. He stayed in Long Beach till December 1998 when He and Bonnie moved to Camp Tahquitz Boy Scout Camp. Ken loved this position and the Camp; he had become a Member of the Tribe of Tahquitz in 1992 and had a special connection to the boys and the camp. In 1999, Ken was presented with Honorary Warrior with Coup, the highest award an adult can earn with the Tribe. Ken worked with the Boy Scouts in a wide range of different positions: Cub Master, Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman, Commissioner, Patrol Dad, Huck Finn Advisor and Safe Rides Advisor. Ken retired from Scouting in March 2006.

Ken Hooper also worked with the San Bernardino Forestry as a volunteer from 2003-2008, was on the organizing committee for the Route 66 car show and run from 2002-2010. He was the Paramount High School Band Booster President and loved creating the Haunted House.

Most of all Ken was a family man and loved kids. Whether it was bringing Bonnie home flowers or their Fridays nights out, or getting a chance to spoil the Grandkids, family was important to him.

Ken is survived by his Wife Bonnie, his Daughter Shannon, his sons Kyle, Jimmy, Aaron and Grandchildren Ashley, Jared, Travis, Ryan, Allie, and Great Grandchildren Brodie and Branson.

~ written with love, by Ken's son Jimmy Merritt