Samuel Lee Hooker

Samuel Lee Hooker, 91, passed peacefully on August 15, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Kansas City VA Hospital Center. He was born October 21, 1933, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to the union of Reverend Isaac and Gladys (Berryhill) Hooker.

Samuel was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Isaac Hooker Jr. and Charley Lee; and six sisters: Temphy Wright, Tressie Moore, Rosie Mae Murray, Kathrine Mayberry, Lillie Lawson, and Mary Jefferson.

He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in his father’s church. In his adulthood he joined United Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Jonnie L. Guyton. Samuel was ordained in this church as a deacon. After the church dissolved, he joined Cleveland Ave Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Price Ellis in 1979. He was an active member of the church. He served as a deacon and sang and played lead guitar for the male chorus. He remained faithful in the church until he passed away.

When he was a young boy, he and his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri, Public School District. He also took college classes at Penn Valley Community College.

He joined the Air Force from 1954 to 1958 during the Korean War, where he was assigned as air police at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. When he was released with an honorable discharge, he served in the Air Force Reserves for 14 years.

Samuel met his wife, Ernestine D. Ryan, while he was stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas. They married in 1955, and they later moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Five children were born to this union; not only was he a great provider, but he also deeply loved his family.

Samuel worked many jobs but successfully landed a permanent position at the United States Postal Service in 1962. He worked as a mail handler before being promoted to supervisor of operations until he retired in 1988 after 30 years of service. After retiring, he couldn’t sit still, so he worked for Sears for 10 years. Once he retired from there, he still was not ready to be still. He worked for the city for a couple of years checking streetlights at night. After that, he worked for US Bank as a courier for 14 years until he finally officially stopped working.

Some activities he liked were playing music on keyboards and guitar. He loved working on cars, playing cards, bowling, and watching the KC Chiefs win Super Bowls. He was a member of the 299 club in his bowling league, just one pin shy of a perfect game. He read all the time; he said it kept his mind going. He especially loved studying the Bible.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife of 70 years, Ernestine Hooker; one son, Dwayne E. Hooker; four daughters: Naurita L. West, Jacquelyn E. Hooker, Anitra D. Warren, and Kimberly L. Hooker; one bonus daughter, Brenda F. Robinson; two sisters: Wilma Jean Carson and Burtha Scott; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, Essence Imani Brown; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.