Edward Lee Hooper, Sr.

Edward Lee Hooper, Sr.

May 5, 2016, after a 7 week battle with a blood infection and kidney failure, Ed, 79, left his earthly body to go to his Heavenly Father, God. Ed waited anxiously for relief at the Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC, where he was continually visited by family and friends. Ed was born in Haywood County, NC on Nov.24, 1936 to Viola McMahan Hooper and Clemmie Buren Hooper, Sr. As well as his parents', he is preceded in death by 6 sisters; Kathleen Stout, Bernice Adams, Sue Cagle, Betty Stanley, Jo Stone, & Jessie Phillips. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 yrs. Carolyn Teague Hooper, son Edward Hooper, Jr., daughter Elizabeth Janaky, grandsons, David Lee Brooks and wife Josi, Curtis Edward Brooks and wife Kristy, and Ian Connor Brooks, great grandchildren, Eli Dean Brooks, Avery Grace Brooks, and Adalyn Reann Brooks, brothers C.B.Hooper and Mike Hooper, husband to Karen. Numerous nieces & nephews have been blessed by having Uncle Edward in their lives. Ed graduated from Mocksville, NC high school, after which he proudly served in the US Navy on the aircraft carrier, USS Essex, travelling to many countries. Having computer experience from the Navy, Ed became a computer technician with National Cash Register Co. for 34 years, enabling him & Carolyn to travel before settling in the Chapel Grove area of Gastonia. Loving to camp and fish led Ed and Carolyn to own and operate Tumbling Waters Campground and Trout Farm near Fontana Lake for 23 years. Ed liked to tease Carolyn about being a city girl who learned to shoot snakes & kingfishers, clean trout and sweep fish poop while operating the campground & caring for their children ages 3 & 5 the first summer. Through the campground they made many lifelong, very special friends, most notably Pat Reese & Buddy & Betty Hodge.

Ed was a member of Chapel Grove Baptist Church for more than 50yrs, at one time serving as Brotherhood director. He loved helping others in any way, and was described as a "jack of all trades." Many people would remind him of something he'd done and thank him again. Ed loved Jesus, and demonstrated that love to family, friends & others during his life, in his own quiet way.

The family will be happy to receive visits at their home. A celebration of life in the form of receiving friends will be held 2 - 4 pm Saturday, May 14th at Chapel Grove Baptist Church, 716 Camp Rotary Rd., Gastonia. Memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice, Chapel Grove Baptist Church, Samaritan's Purse, or a Military charity of the donor's choice. The family would also like to thank every person who provided medical care and comfort to Ed, Carolyn and family during this difficult time. Staff at Caromont Hospital, EMTs, Carolinas Rehab in Mt. Holly, & Gaston County Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas went above and beyond as caregivers to Ed. Thank you all and may you, if you knew Ed, carry on the same legacy of selflessness, generosity, humor, and zeal for life he demonstrated to all.