Obituary of Donald Sydney Hooker "Don"

May 12, 1926 - Drumheller, Alberta

August 10, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Our incredible dad passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the age of 96 years.

He was the truest example of gentle, and gentleman. Born and raised in Drumheller, AB and where he married the love of his life Irma, in August 1952. After working for the family’s Hooker Bros Meats, he started with Christian & Kergan Chartered Accountants and was there until 1955 when he and Irma moved to Calgary, where he started with Crane Ltd. Dad then moved on to Barber Engineering and ultimately Dome Petroleum. After “retirement” Dad was involved in Brian’s businesses doing the books for Brian’s Tune-up & Electrical and the Esso station. He also did accounting on the side for various people and small businesses.

Dad was a very active member in the AMS (Administrative Management Society) and very athletic. Did you ever know a better dancer? Dad also loved tennis, golf, curling, and hockey which he played late into his 70’s. Some of his favorite sporting times came when he was with the guy’s hunting. They had some very great adventures and even greater stories. “Big Louie” had quite a shot.

Both Dad and Mom were incredible gardeners and took great pride in their yard. “Louie’s Lawn Service” was also born after retirement where they would both load up the station wagon and head off to Banff to cut and maintain lawns there.

Although dad hadn’t smoked for years, the smell of Borkum Riff Cherry tobacco is still remembered and mentioned by many who knew him.

Dad is survived by his children, Brian (Deb) Hooker, and Joanne Stone; grandchildren, Dan, Meghan, Deven and Dustin; great-grandchildren Nathan and Evan; many nieces and nephews; and his in-laws, Hilda and Jack Doig, Marg and Rick Peterson, Shirley Naffin, Albert and Terry Naffin, Linda, and Gary Charlton. He is predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Irma (Naffin); his parents Jimmy and Winnie; his only sibling, Winnie Mae Jackson, and brother-in-law Ed Jackson; as well as Freda (Epp) and Jack Utley, Lilly and Jens Skov, and Harold Naffin.

We would like to thank everyone for their kind words about our dad and sharing their memories with us. It certainly brings a smile to our faces hearing about the little things that made him so special not only to us, but also to his family members and anyone who knew him. 

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of our Dad, Don Hooker, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.