Gerald (Gary) Ray Hooper passed away on Sunday, August 27, 2023. He died peacefully in his sleep at home with his wife Karen and their dog Bear.

Gary was born August 28, 1937, in Belvedere, California to Rachel Palmer and Claude Hooper. He was the oldest of five children: Michael Hooper, Karen Hooper Dunn, Alan Hooper, and Claudia Hooper Walker. Gary graduated from Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, California in 1955. In high school, he excelled at baseball, earning All-city honors and read every book in his high school library.

In 1957, Gary attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he met Karen Anne Nicol, the love of his life. After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission (Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana), he and Karen married on August 23, 1960. Over the years they added to their family with daughter Laurie, and sons Michael and Boyd. Gary served in the Air National Guard and was honorably discharged in November of 1961.

Gary graduated from BYU in 1963, and the family then moved to California where he attended the University of California, Riverside, receiving his doctorate in Plant Pathology in 1968. He worked at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Michigan State University, Virginia Tech, and BYU in various positions as professor, department head, administrator, Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost of Research (Virginia Tech), and Assistant Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies (BYU). At BYU, he formed the Office of Research and Creative Activities, a research mentoring program for undergraduate students to adequately prepare for graduate school and future professions. If he could choose to spend his time in any way, it would be serving as a mentor for students and supporting their scholastic and personal successes.

Gary also served in several ecclesiastical positions for the LDS Church as bishop and high counselor. His favorite calling was as a Sunday School teacher. He and Karen also enjoyed singing in the ward choir. Music was a significant part of his life and many times he would break out into a song or sit by the piano singing while Karen played their favorite songs.

On any given day, you could find Gary in his garden with his dog tending to the flowers and trees or working in his yard with neighborhood young men and women teaching them the ways of pruning trees and learning about all living things. He celebrated the achievements of these young friends as they left for college, missions, marriages, embarking on careers, etc., and was so pleased to hear about their every happiness. His greatest devotion and love was given to his wife Karen and his family. His smile was never bigger than when he was with Karen, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his dogs.

He will be remembered with love as the family’s gentle giant and peacemaker.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00am in the Springville 7th Ward building at 1785 East 400 South, Springville, Utah. A webcast of the service will be available at www.walkersanderson.com where condolences and memories may be shared.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society or the Arbor Day Foundation, or take some time to look at a tree, pet a dog, and hug those you love as a tribute. 

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