CHARLES EDWARD HOOKER

Charles Edward Hooker, Jr., 82, of Jefferson City, died Sunday, September 5, 2010, at Adams Street Place.
He was born on March 25, 1928, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the son of the late Charles Edward and Josie Lee Allbritton Hooker. He was united in marriage on August 1, 1950, in Little Rock, to Hilda Mae Massery who preceded him in death on February 8, 1988. He was married on May 11, 1990, in Jefferson City, to Madalyn Schnieders who survives at the home. Mr. Hooker was a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel Grammar School and Little Rock Catholic High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He served with the United States Army from 1947 to 1948. He was employed with Burns and McDonnell Engineers in Kansas City, Mo., as a structural and foundation engineer from 1953 to 1960. He served as Chief Engineer with the Missouri Department of Conservation from 1960 until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers; National Society of Professional Engineers; and the International Association of Conservation Engineers.
In 1972 Chuck received the American Motors Corporation Award, and in 1992 received the Eugene Baker Award from the International Association of Conservation Engineers. Both of these tributes were for outstanding contributions in the field of Conservation Engineering. He was well respected by his peers. Chuck was dedicated to his faith and family. He was a member of St. Joseph Cathedral where he served as Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He was a member of the St. Joseph Parish Association and the Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of the Cursillo Movement. Chuck shared his great sense of humor with all whom he came in contact, and his compassion with those he encountered as a volunteer at St. Marys Health Center and Friendship House at the former Hospice of Jefferson City and Mid-Missouri. He enjoyed fishing in Missouris rivers and streams, and hunting quail. A Master Gardener, his flowers were beautiful and his fruit and vegetables where the tastiest. He enjoyed traveling, reading, and was a history buff. He liked to feed and watch birds from his deck overlooking the Missouri River bottoms and was an avid Mizzou Football fan.
All of these things made Chuck one of the finest, but his greatest talents and mission in life was to bring himself, family, friends, and co-workers to a closer personal relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He longed to see the face of God and live in His home. Chuck will be sorely missed by all of us who loved him, but we rejoice in knowing he will finally hear the words from his Creator, Come home with me, Chuck, my good and faithful servant.
Other survivors include one daughter, Kathryn Sue (Kerry) Owens, Farmington, Mo.; one son, Joseph Hooker, Glens Falls, NY; seven step-children, Jeff (Sharon) Schnieders, Ron (Tammy) Schnieders, Michael (Cindy) Schnieders, Chris (Denise) Schnieders, and Gail (Robert) Hibdon, all of Jefferson City; Lori (Pat) Concannon, Columbia, Mo.; and Jon (Tia) Schnieders, Lenexa, Kans.; and one daughter-in-law, Missy Schnieders, Jefferson City; twenty-five grandchildren, Meghan, Bridgitte, Tess, and Sean Hooker, all of Glens Falls, NY; Zachary Hooker, Baltimore, Maryland; and twenty Schnieders grandchildren. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Paladino, Sherwood, Ark.; Jackie (Eddie) Lewis, Conway, Ark.; Patsy (Carroll) Potter, Pleasanton, Calif.; and many friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by one step-son, Craig Schnieders; one granddaughter, Rachael Schnieders; and one brother-in-law, Pete Paladino.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Samaritan Center, 1310 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; Vitae Caring Foundation, 1731 Southridge Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109; or SSM Hospice, 520 Ellis Boulevard, Suite N, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.