H.C. Hooper

Henry Clay “H.C.” Hooper, Jr., age 86, of rural Lamar, passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield.        H.C. was born June 13, 1922 in Fannin County, Texas, one of the eleven children of Clay and Mattie (Merriman) Hooper.  He moved with his family to Oklahoma, then to Barton County where he graduated from Milford High School.  H.C. was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in the Philippines during World War II.         On April 21, 1948, at Harmony Baptist Church, H.C. married Zelma Orene Cross and they spent their entire married life of over sixty years in the Milford community on the farm.  He enjoyed the life of a farmer.  He had many nephews and nieces who learned from him and admired his work ethic.  He was a good neighbor and willing helper to the community.  He joined the Harmony Baptist shortly after his marriage and remained faithful to the church his entire adult life.        In addition to his wife, Zelma, H.C. is survived by three sisters, Mary Miller, Lamar, Jewel Cellan, Fairfax, Oklahoma, and Louise Cochran, Anchorage, Alaska; many nephews and nieces, and a large extended family.  He was preceded in death by a brother and six sisters.        Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 18th at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday.  Burial will be in Greenfield Cemetery, south of Jerico Springs.        Memorial contributions are suggested to Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, The Gideons International, or the charity of the donor’s choice, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.