Gary Lee Hooker, age 76, a resident of Bronson, KS, died Monday, December 5, 2022, at the St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born March 28, 1946, in Hereford, Texas, the son of George Vernon Hooker and Peggy Minard. Gary graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1964. After graduation, he joined the Army and served his country in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. After he returned home, he was employed as an over-the-road truck driver for many years. Gary enjoyed small-town life, spending time with his family and friends, and the company of one or two cats purring at his side.
He is survived by his brother George Welch and his wife Judy; nieces and nephews Justin Welch, Nicole Ward, and husband Mike, their children, Mikenna, Maci, and Myla, Ashley Slavin, and husband Roper, their children, Korbin and Kori, Chelsea Gumfory, and husband Josh, their children Nash and Riggs, Dakota Welch, and wife Marcy. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Chris Hooker, a brother Jerry Dean Welch, and two sisters, Claudia Ann Harrison and Patricia Jean Lopez.
Rev. Chuck Russel will conduct funeral services at 11:30 Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow at the U. S. National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
