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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 720
Celebrating the life of J. Clyde Hooker, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 28, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, February 3, 2011

 

WHEREAS, J. Clyde Hooker, Jr., the former chief executive officer of Hooker Furniture and beloved community supporter, died July 12, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker was born on December 20, 1920, in Bassett to loving parents J. Clyde Hooker, Sr., the founder of Hooker Furniture, and Mabel Bassett Hooker; he was one of two siblings; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker graduated from Martinsville High School and attended Riverside Military Academy before receiving a bachelor’s degree from the Virginia Military Institute, where he was the class valedictorian; and

WHEREAS, shortly after Clyde Hooker graduated, World War II broke out and he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 752nd Field Artillery Battalion and served with the Third Army in the European Theatre, receiving the Bronze Star and four campaign stars; and

WHEREAS, upon his return to civilian life, Clyde Hooker joined Hooker Furniture, working in the factory before moving to assistant sales manager; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming sales manager in 1956 and president in 1960, a position he held until his retirement in 2000; and

WHEREAS, under Clyde Hooker’s outstanding leadership, Hooker Furniture grew from a company of 375 employees with $4.4 million in sales to, at his retirement, a company of more than 2,000 employees with over $250 million in sales; and

WHEREAS, a leader in the industry, Clyde Hooker served as president of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association (now the American Furniture Manufacturers Association) and chairman of the advisory board of the Dallas Market Center; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker received many awards and accolades for his contributions to the furniture industry, including The Pillar of the Industry Award from the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association, the James T. Ryan Award for Industry Leadership, and induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker was respected not only for his business acumen, but for his ability to build strong teams and his commitment to integrity and community involvement; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker generously shared his time and talents as a board member for numerous organizations in the community and generously donated and helped raise funds for various organizations and causes, including the Piedmont Arts Association, United Way, YMCA, and SPCA; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Clyde Hooker took a leading role in the church expansion and establishment of the endowment fund; he also remained a loyal supporter of his alma mater throughout his life, receiving the VMI Foundation Distinguished Service Award; and

WHEREAS, the first Eagle Scout in Martinsville in 1937, Clyde Hooker later received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award; he also received the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Heck Ford Leadership Award and was presented with a “Key to the City”; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker lived a life dedicated to excellence in business and commitment to community with awards and accolades too numerous to mention; he leaves behind an enduring legacy that serves as a model for others; and

WHEREAS, Clyde Hooker will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 60 years, Katherine; daughter, Katherine and her family; and his other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a noted Virginia businessman and community supporter, J. Clyde Hooker, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of J. Clyde Hooker, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.