1930/2008
H. A. "Allen" Hooks, M.D., died at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont on March 20, 2008. Dr. Hooks was born September 20, 1930, to William Arden and Lorene Welch Hooks of Kountze, Texas. He attended Kountze schools and Lamar University, graduating from the University of Texas. He received his M.D. from the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston and opened his medical practice in Kountze on July 1, 1956; he retired from private practice September 20, 2002.
Dr. Hooks had a lifelong love for the Big Thicket and always enjoyed being in the woods. He became the Hooks family's unofficial historian, collecting facts, artifacts, and stories over most of his life. An accomplished writer, he published Be Who You Seem to Be! A History of William Hooks, His Ancestors and Descendants in 1986; and Lt. Col. Philip A. Work: General Without A Star, in 2003.
In his later years, Dr. Hooks took great pleasure in being a part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, joining the Major J. N. Dark S.C.V. Camp 2026/O.C.R. Chapter 29 in Polk County.
At the time of his death he was Hardin County Health Officer, a position he had held for some 35 years, and was Chairman of the Hardin County Historical Commission.
Dr. Hooks is survived by his mother, Lorene Hooks; wife, Geray Gayley Hooks; two daughters, Alexandra Hooks Blank and Allison Hooks; one son, John Arden Hooks; and one granddaughter, Laura Blank. He was preceded in death by his father and two children, William Columbus Hooks and Larkin Amanda Hooks.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Hooks Cemetery in Kountze with Reverend Eldon Read and Reverend Bill Job officiating. Friends and family will gather at the First Methodist Church in Kountze immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Dr. Hooks be made to the charity of one's choice.
