James E. Hooper

Dr. James E. Hooper, 85, passed away peacefully August 19, 2022 in Wichita, KS surrounded by family. He was born April 10, 1937 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma to Ed and Edna (Mize) Hooper. After Edna’s passing in 1940, Ed married Hazel White, who lovingly raised James as one of her own. James started his school days in Cement, Oklahoma. To help his family make ends meet, he began cleaning the town bank in the evenings and shining shoes after school when he was a young boy. He dropped out of high school to join the Navy and received his GED while serving his country. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Jean Hunter February 28, 1956. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma. James dedicated his life to education. He began his teaching career in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma while working to complete his Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. He continued teaching in Lovington, New Mexico, then was given the opportunity to become an instructor and administrator at New Mexico Junior College. James decided to pursue his Doctorate in Education at Texas A&M Commerce where he served as an Assistant Professor of Secondary and Higher Education. After receiving his Doctorate degree, he was hired in 1978 as President of Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas. He left in 1985 to become Provost and Vice President at Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma City Campus until his retirement in 1997. Never one to be idle, he spent his retirement years restoring old cars, building furniture and woodcarving. He received many awards for his carvings at the OKC and Wichita carving shows. He loved his grandchildren and would spend hours carving cartoon figures for them, also making furniture and lamps for their rooms. He carved beautiful Santas that decorate our homes at Christmas. James and Jean celebrated 66 years of marriage in February. James was a proud Oklahoman and a passionate University of Oklahoma fan all his life. He will be remembered for his infectious smile and loving heart. James is preceded in death by his wife, Jean; his parents; and his brother, Johnny Ray Hooper. He is survived by his sister, Irma June Pfleiderer of Burnett, Texas; son, Jim Hooper (Sally) of Round Rock, Texas; daughter, Janet Clopine (Russ) of Wichita, Kansas; and grandchildren, Erin Kays (Reagan), Austin Hooper, Cameron Hooper, Evan Clopine, and Grant Clopine. A Celebration of Life for both James and Jean will be held October 8, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, Wichita. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1820 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67214.

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