Louis Ray Hooper

Louis Hooper married to Carol Hooper (12/2/1941-5/1/2017) for 56 years and resided in La Habra for over 70 years.He is survived by his daughters, Lucia Contreras (husband Dan), and Susan Roush (husband Michael). His brother Jules Hooper (wife Patricia) and six grandchildren.

A touching tribute was written on behalf of the Palm Society of Southern California by David Bleistein:

" It is with deep sorrow that I report the passing of Louis Hooper, on December 20, 2019. Mr. Hooper and his wife Carol held a special place in the hearts of all PSSC members, including me.

Louis was a founding member of the modern PSSC; he signed the incorporation documents on April 6, 1984, and had been active for many years before then.

Louis and Carol Hooper had a world-class palm collection, which was a featured stop on many a "biennial" for the International Palm Society, and the location for a number of wonderful PSSC meetings as well. Best of all, they were always up for a visit from palm nuts from round the world, or up the street. Some of the Hoopers' palms were exemplars of their species, including their 30-foot tall Dypsis onilahensis, and that splendid clump of Chamadorea fragrans. The fortuitous proximate pairing of a Rhapis laosensis and R. humilis gave rise to the treasured Rhapis "Alicia" which now graces gardens worldwide. And who can forget the three Ravenea monticolas along the back, and that Mayan-stepped-temple trunk on that soaring Archontophoenix alexandrae "Beatriciae" next to their house? Plus a 30 year old Beccariophoenix madagascariensis, still far from trunking but magnificent nevertheless. And so many more.

Louis didn't let the ever-more-cruel hobbles of Parkinson's disease ruin his enjoyment of life, even through ever-more-aggressive drug and procedural treatments. He would reward a joke with his trademark Herman Munster-style laugh, even if the joke was on him. He kept his greenhouses filled with sprouting seeds, some of which ended up in PSSC members' gardens.

The Hoopers were a truly lovely couple in every sense, a joy to be near. Each was the other's better half. Carol doggedly maintained the gardens and house after Louis grew unable to. So it was that Carol's untimely and unexpected passing in May of 2017 was a tragic note to a perfect tale. Her passing marked the end of the Hoopers' glorious garden.

Rest in Peace, old friends."