Family will visit with friends on Friday, May 29, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby, Columbus, Georgia. A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 1:00 PM in Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, Georgia.
Jimmy Hooper was born to the late Pauline and Jim Hooper in Virginia on March 12, 1943. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army. After serving in the US Army, Jimmy worked as a door-to-door Milk Man...often called "the singing milk man", he pursued his passion for Country and Western music by leading his band, "Jimmy Hooper and the Tomahawks". He recorded original music under the Tomahawk label and for a time, owned The Green Valley Club in Columbus, GA. Jimmy also worked many years at Martin Food Service before moving on to Kemet Electronics as Food Service Manger where he retired.
Up until health issues began to increase, Jimmy enjoyed hunting, camping, home improvements, wood-working and craft projects. He enjoyed working alongside Gail while doing yard work and gardening. Some of his favorite years were spent living in Hodges, South Carolina. Jimmy loved their home, especially their many farm animals (all of which had names). He spoke fondly about his years there, even up until his passing. Later in life Jimmy enjoyed calling those he loved via Facebook Messenger video calls. He was a joker of sorts; if he picked at you, you were sure to know he liked you.
He lived his life for his family whom he loved dearly. There was nothing he would not do for those he loved. He worked hard all of his life until his body couldn't and he instilled that ethic in to his children. He loved his grandchildren and his first priority for each of them was to teach them to yodel. Jimmy loved all of his family, but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy!
He would want to be remembered as a man who loved his family, most especially, his wife Gail. He would want his family to love and take care of each other.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Virginia Gail Hooper; his loving children, Terry Hooper (Angie), Stacy Hooper, and Kristie Hooper Donaldson (Bryan); his loving grandchildren, Brandy Hooper Long (Mark), Erica Hooper Floyd (Johnny), Kensleigh Hooper, Austin Hooper, and Abby Carlisle; his loving great-grandchildren, Hunter Dragnett, Emerson Floyd, Cheyenne Floyd, Kennedy Long and Kaiden Long; his siblings, Willie Hooper, Ray Hooper, Linda Smith, and Lois Hancock; and a multitude of extended family.
Other than his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Hooper, Boyd Hooper, Thomas Hooper, Buddie Hooper, and Robert Hooper (who passed at birth); his sisters, Blanche Martin, Dolly Cannoy, and Mary Ruth Hooper (who passed at birth); and his beloved grandson, Colby Allen Hooper.
To leave an online condolence for the Hooper family, please visit shcolumbus.com.