Obituary
Fat dimpled hands reach up to me when I get home at night,And fill my heart with soft, warm love and lots of pure delight.Only 30 inches from chubby little toes past jolly tummy to his silly button nose.Now I know what angels are and what they’re really for,they’re to fill folks’ hearts with love as they greet you at the door.- Poem by Ora Lea Hooker about Jason Alan Anthony Hooker
Jason departed this life on Valentines Day at a skilled nursing center in Crescent City. He was born January 31, 1960, at Trinity Hospital in Arcata, to Gerald Eugene & Ora Lea (Beamish) Hooker.He spent the first 8 or 9 years living with his parents and 2 older brothers, Philip and Paul, in McKinleyville. At that point he and his parents moved to Arizona for better job opportunities. Eventually his older brothers joined them. They first lived in Scottsdale, then Mesa. In high school, he began working at Weaver’s Upholstery, beginning at 15. Mesa High School was where he learned to love photography.
He returned to Humboldt County after graduation. He worked for Ted & Fern Rankin who owned Elite Upholstery. When the Rankins decided to retire, they offered the business to Jason. With his parent’s help he bought the business. While his mother took care of the books, his father spent time disassembling items for Jason to make new again, and family members would often spend time learning and helping out. Nephew Dylan remembers Jason facilitating his foam fort construction projects. He was an excellent upholsterer, but eventually sold the business, to spend time playing pool, creating crafty works of art, watching the sunset, driving his big truck or tiny car, and taking walks in the Arcata Marsh, always with one of his ugly little dogs. Chico, Shellby, Poppy, Scruffy, and Sam are some of the small dogs he loved and cared for.
Jason was a gentle soul with a wicked sense of humor who kept his friends laughing.Jason began playing pool at 4 with his mom at the old Clam Beach Inn (currently Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant), and enjoyed the game thoughout his life, whether as part of a team or solo, often winning tournaments at the Red Lion in Eureka, or wherever there was a pool table on the Arcata Plaza. Brook Haskell, a pool partner, remained his friend through his life. He kept his many friends smiling with his stories and his sense of humor.
Toward the end of his life, Jason was blessed to be able to live in Silvercrest where he was treated well and had help. One caregiver in the last few years was particularly kind and thoughtful. Lindsey White made sure he got what he needed, advocating for him to the end, even driving up to see him in Crescent City to make sure he was doing okay. In the end, he made the decision to stop aggressive measures to extend his life, and to receive palliative care. It was a blessing for him to move on in the way he chose.
Jason was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Paul. He is survived by his brother Philip (Pam Sowerwine), his nephew Dylan (Erin), his sister-in-law, Donna Hooker, his nephew, Tyler (Danielle Hewitt), his uncle Dewey (Carol) Hooker, and countless numbers of cousins and friends.
There will be no public memorial. Family members will scatter his ashes later at places that were special to him.