Obituary: Hooper, John “Bud”

HOOPER, John “Bud” June 30, 1929- August 2, 2015 John “Bud” Hooper passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 2nd in his Liberty Lake home, succumbing to a short illness.

He was surrounded in his final hours with his wife of sixty-five years, Janet, and his grand- children.

Bud spent the last day of his life on his front porch, contently watching his great-grandchildren play on the beach.

Bud was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 30, 1929 to Harold and Irene Hooper.

Bud’s mother, Irene passed away when he was two years old.

Shortly after the death of his mother, Bud and his father moved to North Idaho, where Harold met and married Bud’s stepmother Florence.

Bud attended elementary and junior high school in Coeur d’Alene.

Bud became a citizen of Father Flannigan’s Boys Town for his first two years of high school.

He returned home to play football, basketball, and track for his last two years of high school, for the Viking’s new coach Elmer Jordan.

After graduating from CDA High School, Bud returned to Milwaukee to attend Marquette University.

Homesick, he returned to Coeur d’Alene, attending North Idaho College and playing on their basketball team.

He soon married his high school sweetheart, Janet Marie Arnold on August 25, 1950, and was subsequently drafted into the military.

Upon his military discharge, Bud and Janet returned to North Idaho where he graduated from Eastern Washington University.

Bud taught and coached high school football, basketball, and baseball at Rathdrum-Spirit Lake, Tonasket, Otis Orchards, and East Valley.

Bud loved coaching and was a faithful fan of the Seahawks, Mariners, and Gonzaga Bulldog basketball.

He also enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, and trips in his motor home.

Bud’s favorite holiday was the Fourth of July when the entire Hooper family would converge at his Liberty Lake home for the parade, barbeque, and fireworks.

However, his greatest joy was the athleticism of his grandchildren.

Bud and Janet attended countless football, rugby, wrestling, cross-country, and baseball games, meets, and matches across the state to watch them compete.

Bud was preceded in death by Harold and Florence Hooper; his beloved grandson Jordan Jaeger; son-in-law John Hayward; and great-granddaughter Madilyn Jaeger.

He is survived by his wife Janet; son Michael Hooper; daughters, Susan Hayward (John) and Patricia Jaeger (David); sister Jane Yandt (Ron); grandsons, Matt Hooper (Cheri) and Lucas Jaeger (Ashley), granddaughters Mandy Hansen (Chris), Angela Travis (Pat), Meagin Scott (Jeff), and Rachel Hooper (Pat Marticio); great-grandsons, Carson Jaeger, Peyton and Parker Travis, Johnny, Jacob, and Matthew Scott, and great-granddaughters Adara Hooper, Bailey, Keegan, and Piper Jo Hansen, Kensi Jaeger, and soon to arrive Jordyn Marticio.

Per Bud’s request, in lieu of a funeral there will be a private family graveside service.