Larry Wayne Hooper

Larry Hooper, age 70 of Elkhart, Texas was born to Peggy and C.T. Hooper on March 24,1950 in Palestine, Texas and passed away on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Tyler, Texas.

He was a lifetime resident of Anderson County and a proud graduate of Elkhart High School. A true 60/40 man, Larry began working for Union Pacific Railroad at the age of 20 and retired in 2010 at the age of 60 as a Conductor. 

Larry’s faith was an integral part of his life as he began each day with Bible study. In his early years he was the Youth Minister at the Elkhart Church of Christ. He loved working with children spreading God’s love. He was currently a member of the Crockett Road Church of Christ. 

He and his wife, Cathy raised and showed registered Paint and Quarter Horses culminating in trips to American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and American Buckskin Registry Association (ABRA) world championship shows with his stallion Two M Ritas Chief – also known as Geronimo. The stallion earned AQHA superiors in heading and heeling as well as ABRA World and Reserve Championships in numerous events. Geronimo sired local successful working ranch horses in the state.

In his retirement Larry decided to go into the cattle industry. He was particularly interested in Brahman and Angus cross beef cattle that were adaptable to the East Texas climate. He studied and applied agricultural science to developing his hay fields and pastures and he was happy to share his knowledge with family and friends. 

Larry was gifted in mechanics and could repair and build anything from horse barns to fellowship halls.

Growing up in the piney woods of East Texas, it is no surprise he was fond of the outdoors and enjoyed his stewardship of all animals. He was known for rescuing animals. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing, in his later years he enjoyed observing the East Texas wildlife.

He is survived by his wife Cathy of 27 years; his daughters Crystal White (Chris), Kim Harris (Paul), Holly Olson (Kyle), Yasmine Anderson (Chris); son Larry Hooper, Jr. (Chelsea); sister Karri Ann Schmidt; and dear companions Chance, Mr. Pepe, Rosie, Chili Pepine and the most recent rescues Bob Wiley and Bird Cat.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gary, Terry and Barry Hooper, and son Jeromy Hooper.

Graveside services to celebrate Larry Hooper’s life will be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning, on Monday, the 8th day of March 2021, at Cedar Creek Cemetery (Our Acre) with Dan Manuel officiating.

Pallbearers will be Larry Alford, Edd Coleman, Jimmy Pryor, Steven Schmidt, Rick Scholze and Ronny Steadman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to BARC Humane Society (barctx.org) or the American Heart Association (heart.org).

Funeral services for Larry Wayne Hooper are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.  

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