Reverend Jack Hooper

Dewey Jackson Hooper, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and Methodist minister died February 25, 2011. He was born to W.R. and Pauline Hooper June 21, 1931 in Whitewright, Texas. Jack had suffered bravely from dementia for the past seven years.

Jack spent his childhood and youth in Jacksonville, Texas, where he attended public school and Lon Morris Jr. College. He received a BBA from The University of Texas, a Masters of Theology from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.

Jack is survived by his wife, high school sweetheart Helen Poland of Jacksonville, Texas; the couple recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. Their children are Heidi, married to Tom Green, and Jack, married to Karen Gardner, all of Austin; and Becky, married to Scott Ferguson, of San Antonio. Their grandchildren are Meagan Green, married to Cameron Labunski; Evan Green, married to Jenny Foehrkolb; Lynnsey Hooper; and Culllen and Becca Ferguson.

Jack faithfully served as the organizing pastor at Wesley Methodist in Nederland, and as associate pastor at University Methodist in Austin. He then served as senior pastor of the United Methodist in San Saba, First United Methodist in Marble Falls, St. Luke United Methodist in San Angelo, Tarrytown United Methodist in Austin, and Alamo Heights United Methodist in San Antonio. His parishioners and colleagues will remember him as having lived his call to ministry in service to others.

Jack served on Boards of Directors for numerous organizations, including the Methodist Home in Waco, the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, the University of Texas Wesley Foundation in Austin, and the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. He was appointed as chairman of the Lon Morris College Board of Trustees and the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Methodist Mission Home of San Antonio. He served on various boards of the Southwest Texas United Methodist Conference, and was a conference delegate to the South Central Jurisdictional Conferences in 1984, 1988, and 1992, as well as a delegate to the General Conference in 1992. He was a mentor in the Young Pastor’s Mentor Program of Perkins School of Theology between 1988 and 1990. Jack was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters from Huston-Tillotson College in 1983 and as a Distinguished Alumnus of Lon Morris College in 1990.

After 40 years of service in the ministry of the United Methodist Church, Jack retired in 1995. He and Helen moved to Austin, where two of their three children live. Even in retirement, Jack--always faithfully responding to God’s calling or a need in ministry --served as Interim Co-Pastor in Manor. Jack will be remembered for his humor and warmth, his welcoming, hospitable spirit, and his inspiring and spirit-filled sermons.

A graveside service will be held at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery on Monday, February 28, at 9:30 a.m. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd, Austin.

The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to Arden Courts, Hospice Austin, and Westminster Manor Healthcare Center for their care and assistance. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tarrytown United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Hospice Austin.