Jon Ben Hooper(July 25, 1935 - December 29, 1995) would have been a member of the class of 1956, but joined the U.S. Air Force in March 1951. He served 20 years in the Air Force and served 2 tours of duty during Viet Nam, retiring in 1971 with the rank of Staff Seargent. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife, Sylvia (East), 3 sons, Jon, Joe & Gene, 1 step-son & 1 step-daughter, Harry Liedtke and Katreena Liedtke, 4 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

 Above from Sylvia East (Hooper) Upton
January 3, 2009

Funeral services for Mr. Jon Ben Hooer, 60, of Henderson were held at 10 am, Monday, Jan. 1,1996 at Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church in Henderson.  Bishop Charles Kannard officiated,and Bishop Bill Mccavoy assisted.  Also, a service was held at 3 pm Monday, Jan. 1 at the First Christian Church in Timpson.  The Rev. Larry Stegall officiated and the Reverend Rex Humphries assisted.  Interment followed in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson. Arrangements were under the direction of Bryan Funeral Home in Henderson.  Mr. Hooper died Friday Morning at his residence after a brief illiness.

Born on July 25, 1935 in Timpson, he retired from the United States Air Force where he served for 20 years.  Mr. Hooper was of the Christian faith, and was preceded in death by his father, John B. Hooper and a brother, Gene W. Hooper.

Mr. Hooper is survived by wife, Mrs. Sylvia East Hooper of Henderson; his mother, Mrs. Geraldine F. Howell Hooper of Timpson; one daughter and son-in-law, Katreena and Aaron Leavitt of West Jordon, Utah; four sons and one daughter-in-law, Jon and Doris Hooper of Carthage; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Marian and John Bodiford of Carthage, and Maude and Howard Parker of Timpson; several nieces and nephews; seven grandchildren; one great-grandduaghter.

Serving as pallbearers were Carl Neel, John S. Hooper, J.T. Rhodes, Tip Tipton, David Parker, Bill Parker, Gene Smith, Steve Smith, Fred Ponder, Chad Palmer, Barry Crow, and Artie Lee.  Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas in memory of Jon Ben Hooper.

(Courtesy of Timpson Area Obituaries Book-TAGHS)