Ralph Patrick Hooper

Mardela Springs- Ralph Patrick Hooper, 84, of Mardela Springs, died Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. He was born March 26, 1931 in Clayton, Delaware, a son of the late William “Guy” Hooper and Ruby (Truitt) Hooper. Ralph proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1953. He worked in substation maintenance for Delmarva Power for over 37 years. He was a member of Nelson’s Memorial United Methodist Church in Hebron and Bethany Lutheran Church in Salisbury. He was very active in his community and served in many organizations, including Temple Lodge #170 A.F. & A.M. in Mardela, where he earned his 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Rockawalkin Ruritan Club, where he served as past president and was honored with Ruritan of the Year, and a member of the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. He was also a past Cub Scout leader, past president of the Mardela Springs PTA and past president of the Westside Historical Society. He was an avid NASCAR fan who rooted for Jeff Gordon and a lover of old cars. He was especially fond of his old Packard which won him many trophies through the years. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Patricia Kammer Hooper; a daughter, Katherine Magner and husband, David of Delmar; 2 sons, Curtis Hooper and wife, Paula of Salisbury and Craig Hooper and wife, Damaris of Virginia Beach; six grandchildren, Amber, Lillie, Pierce, Ariana, Kayla and Priscilla; four great grandchildren; a brother, Bud Hooper of Mardela Springs; and a sister, Thelma Hales of Boca Raton, Florida. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Walter and Joe Hooper; and four sisters, Doris, Louise and Amanda and Ruth. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and also Thursday, June 11, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar. A Masonic service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a funeral service. Interment with military honors will follow at Springhill Memory Gardens in Hebron. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Westside Historical Society, P.O. Box 194, Mardela Springs, MD 21837. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Ralph Patrick Hooper

March 26, 1931 - June 6, 2015