Dr. John Freeman (Booty) Hooker Jr, 82, of Columbia, died on Monday, November 13, 2023. Born in Columbia, SC, on May 10, 1941, he was the son of the late John Freeman Hooker and Katherine Tompkins Hooker. Dr. Hooker graduated from Dreher High School in 1959. He earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 1963 thanks to a football scholarship. Following his graduation from Clemson, he attended the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and graduated in 1967. During the Vietnam War, Dr. Hooker served in the United States Navy as a physician, which included a one-year tour in Okinawa stationed with the Marines. Upon completing his service in the Navy, Dr. Hooker returned to Charleston for his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, which he finished in 1973. Much of his career was spent at Columbia OB/GYN delivering countless numbers of babies for over 30 years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder. Much of his spare time was spent cheering on the Clemson Tigers and playing golf but most important to him was his time spent studying God's Word with others and praying with his dear friends. His greatest joy was knowing that Jesus loved him, and he loved Jesus.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Wilkes Hooker; sons, John Freeman (Jeff) Hooker, III (Nancy) and Robert Liles Hooker (Patty); grandchildren, John Freeman Hooker IV, Lucas Rutledge Hooker, Mary Liles Hooker, Sophie Elizabeth Hooker, and Molly Wilkes Hooker, nephews Howard E. (Ward) Richardson, Jr and Donald Wayne (Don) Richardson, II (Kristina), great nieces Lois and Lena Richardson, and brother-in-law Robert W. (Robin) Wilkes, Jr. (Arlene), and many beloved cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Hooker (Singie) Richardson and brother-in-law Howard E. Richardson, Sr.

The service for Dr. Hooker will be held at 1 o'clock, on Monday November 20th at First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, with the Rev. David H. Lauten and the Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ross officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in Jackson Hall of the Church. Burial with family will precede the service in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Elders of First Presbyterian Church and the men of his beloved prayer group.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201, to the attention of the Deacon's Fund or World Mission's Fund.

"Only one life,
'Twill soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last."
C. T. Studd