Robert William Hook

Robert William Hook, 96, of Stephenville, passed away Monday, June 15, 2009 in Stephenville. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Emil Becker, Rev. Houston Hook, and Dr. Jeff Moore officiating. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Erath County. The family will receive friends from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm Friday at the funeral home. Robert William Hook was born February 23, 1913 in the Rocky Point community, east of Stephenville, to William Lonzo and Maggie Huxford Hook. He attended rural school through eighth grade and graduated from Stephenville High School in 1931. Robert married Ann Grimes of Waxahachie, Texas on March 13, 1935 in Stephenville and she preceded him in death on July 27, 1986 after 51 years of marriage. He was ordained as a Deacon in the Rocky Point Baptist Church in 1938 and was a member of the Stephenville First Baptist Church since 1944 where he also served as Deacon. Robert received his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Daniel Baker College in Brownwood in 1943 and his Masters degree in education and history from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene in 1949. Robert began his teaching career in 1939 at Pilot Knob, Erath County for one year then moved to North Paluxy, Erath County, for the school year 1940-41. In 1941, the Hook family moved to Jones County and taught at Union School located eight miles southwest of Anson. After three years in Jones County, Robert and Ann were offered positions in Stephenville as principal and teacher respectively at Central Elementary and remained there twenty-nine years for a total of thirty-four years for Robert and thirty years for Ann. They retired from Stephenville Independent School District in 1973 and in June 2001 Robert and Ann were honored with the dedication of Hook Elementary School the building which replaced the old three story high school that Robert graduated from in 1931. He was also a member of Retired Teachers Association. Robert is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Mavalyn and K.A. Goza of Anson, and Melody and Billy Tomlinson of Stephenville; grandchildren, Ginger Owen and husband Jerry of Potosi, Trey Goza and wife Shelly of Anson, Greg Goza and wife Robin of Anson, and Brett Tomlinson of Stephenville; twelve great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren; brothers, Houston Hook and wife Louise of Millsap, and Preston Hook and wife Wanda of Stephenville; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Olen Hook; and sisters, Mavis Waddell, and Evelyn Bramlett. The family would like to give a thank you to the special caregivers, Kayla Gillaspy, Keri King, Wanda Shaw, Carol Lazzaro, Britney Tolson, Kiela Whitten, Teresa Miller, Sharon Gore, Skye Latham; and also to the Staff of Oakwood Assisted Living. Memorials may be made to the Hook Elementary School or to the Stephenville First Baptist Church.