Johnny (John) Dean Hooker, 70, of South Hutchinson, passed away September 17, 2024, at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
John was born November 20, 1953, in Hutchinson to John and Bessie Summers Hooker. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1970. John enlisted in the United States Navy the following year, serving in Vietnam before retiring from the Navy Reserves with thirty years of service. John also retired from AGCO where he worked as an assembler.
On October 23, 1980, he married JoAnne Osenbaugh.
John was active in the VFW 1361 Bob Campbell Post, Hutchinson and VFW 2715 Fred E. Ellis Post, McPherson. He currently was serving as the Fifth District Commander of the Kansas VFW and current director of Kansas Honor Flight Hutchinson (which also served surrounding counties). In addition, John was a member of Lyle Rishel Post #68 American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Kansas VFW 5th District Riders Group, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
He is survived by: his wife of almost forty-four years, JoAnne; sons: Steven (Phyllis) Griffin of Bluffton, IN, Robert (Tara) Griffin of Hutchinson, Michael (Valerie) Griffin of South Hutchinson; 14 grandchildren: Caressa (Taylor) Runyon, Stephani (Ryan) Oelke-Royer, Kayla Griffin and Adam Strand, Shane Griffin, Tyler (Renae) Griffin, Shaun (Carolyn) Griffin, Joseph (Audrey) Griffin, Ashley (Adam) Burkhart, Jasmine Griffin, Colton Griffin, Trevor (Jessica) Griffin, Dylan (Tiana) Griffin, Dakota (Amya) Griffin, and Matthew Griffin; 18 great-grandchildren: Taysen, Cailynn, Oaklen, William, Daisy, Ginger, Saige, Ezra, Jade, Braylen, Maddox, Adinan, Riley, Coen, Lily, Violet , Ezekiel, and Jonah with a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter on the way; sister, Carol (Kenneth) Neufeld; brother, Fred Hooker (Linda); sisters-in-law, Judy (Carl) Eckhoff and Jeanne Osenbaugh (Jerry); and brother-in-law John (Star) Osenbaugh; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will receive friends Monday, September 30, 2024, from 5:00 -7:00 pm at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St, Hutchinson, KS. A Celebration of Life will take place 10:00 am Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Elliott Mortuary with inurnment following at Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the United States Navy. Friends may sign the book from 9 am – 5 pm at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the John Hooker Memorial Fund to be distributed to charities of the family's choosing, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501.
Click here to view the service. Livestream will start 10 minutes before the service.