Hooke, Henry Ervin

Henry Ervin “Nick” Hooke, 1st Lt., USAF (Fallen)
April 21, 1940 – April 19, 2018

Henry Ervin “Nick” Hooke

BIRTH 21 Apr 1940
DEATH 19 Apr 2018 (aged 77)
BURIAL  Burial Details Unknown
MEMORIAL ID 189186425 · View Source

Henry E. Hooke

La Porte, TX – On April 19, 2018, Henry Ervin “Nick” Hooke (age 77) passed away peacefully while under Hospice Care at his home in La Porte, Texas listening to Willie Nelson with his devoted wife Jeanne and furry kids, Mandy and Rebel, at his side after a lengthy battle with brain tumor complications. He was deeply loved and supported by family and friends near and far during this hard journey but is finally at peace from the demons who tortured him both day and night.

Nick was preceded in death by his parents Earle and Mary Ella Hooke, brother Ben Hooke and brother-in law Billy Price. He is survived by his wife Jeanne, Mandy and Rebel (his furry kids), his sister Betty Price, his aunt Lee Hooker, sister-in-law Joyce Hooke Downey, brother-in-law Daniel D’Agostini, one niece (Kris Hartmann) and four nephews (Will Price, Mac Hooke, Jeff Hooke and Quince D’Agostini) their children and numerous cousins.

Captain Nick Hooke lived an incredible life filled with accomplishments. He was born in Lexington, Mississippi April 21, 1940 but grew up in Utica, Mississippi where he was proud to be a Utica Gold Waves and held the record for pole vaulting. He attended Hinds Junior College on a football scholarship. He was a member of the Sigma Epsilon Fraternity at Ole Miss and graduated from Ole Miss in Oxford, Ms. in 1963.

As far back as the fourth grade, he wanted to be a pilot and obtained his pilot’s license in 1962. He was the Chief Pilot of the Mississippi Forestry Commission. He later flew for the United States Air Force and his performance earned him twelve Air Metals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Captain Nick Hooke flew Air Rescue Helicopters during his tour in Viet Nam.

In November of 1969, he joined Continental Airlines flying both domestic and overseas. At that time (year 2000), federal regulations mandated pilots retire at the age of 60 so he flew his last trip to Brussels, Belgium (Flight 60) accompanied by his family. He bid down on the DC-10 as he wasn’t ready to retire but then officially retired in October of 2000 when Continental Airlines parked all the DC-10 planes.

In his free time, Captain Nick Hooke enjoyed tinkering with ham radios and computers, loved gadgets of all kinds, sailing, backpacking and traveling with his wife and furry kids in their motor home.

A Celebration of Life will be held in their home at 2415 Crescent Drive in La Porte Texas 77571 on April 28th at 2 pm.

Memorial Service will also be held in Utica, Mississippi at the Utica Christian Church Fellowship Hall August 3rd at 2 pm to coincide with the Utica High School Reunion.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the National Brain Tumor Society (braintumor.org), The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or your favorite.

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