Bobby Warren Hooper was born on January 18, 1931, to Ben and Revellah Hooper, in Silverton, Texas.
Bobby was the eldest of four children. The family soon moved to Hannover, New Mexico, where Ben worked in a zinc mine. When Bobby was in fifth grade, the Hoopers moved to Kress, Texas, in the Texas Panhandle, and into the farming business. In 1947, when Bobby was a junior in high school, they made one more move and bought a farm near Tulia, Texas.
At Tulia High School, Bobby played football and basketball. He was named All-District End in football in his senior year. He also served as Student Council President in his senior year.
After graduation in 1949, Bobby worked at several jobs: carpenter, electrician's helper, farmhand, and helped his dad with chores (milking cows morning and night). In 1951, he joined the United States Marine Corps. After training, he was sent to Korea, arriving there on Easter Sunday morning 1953.
After returning home in 1954, Bobby enrolled in college at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, and completed two years. Returning to Tulia, he worked at custom farming and harvesting. He began dating a former high school classmate, Edna Dalluge, who was teaching second grade in Tulia Schools. They were married on January 5, 1957.
Bobby farmed around Tulia until 1966, when he learned of a government program called Desert Land Entry that provided land in some western states if a farmer would develop it and put it into production. Along with several other people from the Tulia area, Bobby and Edna decided to make the move, and filed on land in northeastern Nevada. Their place turned out to be too far from school, so Bobby agreed to develop four sections in Buffalo Valley near the town of Battle Mountain, Nevada, for Hudson Oil Company. Edna took a job teaching kindergarten in Battle Mountain.
After some difficulties with contracts with Hudson, Bobby took a job as a mechanic with Duval Corporation at its copper mine. Duval later became Battle Mountain Gold and then was bought by Newmont Mining. Bobby worked there in his position as Mine Maintenance Foreman for 19 ½ years, until his retirement in 1992.
Bobby's most enjoyable times were those spent with his children, Sara Loraine, born in Tulia in 1957, and Robert Benjamin, born in Battle Mountain in 197l. Bob and Sara had many happy hours together in the winters while Edna was teaching. He called her his "Farmer". When she was old enough to join 4-H, Bob became the Horsemanship and Livestock Leader and was well-known for his dedication to the program for the youth in Battle Mountain. Robert also joined 4-H as soon as he was old enough, and he and Bob spent much quality time together pursuing various projects. They were both very proud when in high school, Robert, under Bob's guidance, trained his horse, Outlaw, to be named "Outstanding Trail Horse of Nevada!"
Bobby was a member of the Battle Mountain Roping Club and for many years served on the board of the Battle Mountain Livestock Events Center. He enjoyed donating time to projects at the Battle Mountain rodeo grounds.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Edna; his daughter, Sara and Greg Petrey of Fort Worth, Texas; his son, Robert and Bridget Hooper of Battle Mountain; granddaughter, Kacie and Paul Nix of Fort Worth; granddaughter Kodie Petrey and fiancé Justin Rabroker of Bryan, Texas; great-grandchildren, Mykenzie, Bryanna, and Derrick Nix of Fort Worth; brothers: Joe and Martha Hooper of Tulia, Texas; Frank and Cathy Hooper of Amarillo, Texas; sister: Rita Dobbs of Tulia, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bobby has been a member of First Baptist Church of Battle Mountain since the church was established. He was proud of the fact that he helped literally build the church building, putting his carpenter skills to good use! He served in various positions of service at the church through the years. He especially enjoyed his long-time position of Sunday School Director.
Funeral services were held at the Battle Mountain Civic Center on Monday, August 13. Burial followed at the Battle Mountain Cemetery. After the services, family and friends were invited to share lunch at the First Baptist Church, Battle Mountain, Seventh and Weaver Street.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bobby W. Hooper Memorial Fund, which has been established at the Battle Mountain branch of the Wells Fargo Bank. These funds will be donated to Bobby's favorite charities.
The Hooper Family would like to extend thanks and appreciation to The Battle Mountain EMS and the Sheriff's Dept. Deputies who served us so well.
Those wishing to share memories with the family may do so at www.albertsonfuneralhome.com.
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