Bruce J. Hooper, 78 of Monroe City, and formerly of Chula Vista and Jamul, CA, passed away at home on Saturday, January 14, 2012 after a brief illness. He was born November 3, 1933 in Chula Vista, CA, the twin son of Albert F. and Leona (Berlinger) Hooper. Bruce attended the Chula Vista schools, graduating from the Chula Vista High School in 1951. He was a member of the Congregational Church there, prior to moving his membership to the First Baptist Church in Monroe City in early 2011. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed in Germany in 1953 and 1954. Bruce loved talking with people and was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his life. In most recent years, he treasured spending time at his farms, watching the wildlife, driving the tractor, fishing the pond, or helping a neighbor. A week after high school graduation, Bruce was employed at Rohr Industries in Chula Vista. He enjoyed a 38-year career in the aerospace industry, with 30 of those years in management. Upon retiring in 1989, he built a retirement home on his ranch in Jamul, CA. In 2003, he and his wife, Linda, came to Missouri in search of a vacation home near the Mark Twain Lake. After a short period of time, they fell in love with the people and the pace of Monroe City and made it their full-time residence. Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Linda Hooper, of Monroe City, MO; four children, Kimberly (Mark) Appleget of Chula Vista, CA, Mike Hooper of Bakersfield, CA, Keith (Shirley) Hooper of Santee, CA and Kent (Allison) Hooper of Spring Valley, CA; five step-children, R.J. (Shannun Lamorte) Lewis III of Virginia Beach, VA, Kimberly (Jason) Schauwecker and Courtney Lewis, of Chicago, IL, Kelley (Adam) Broderick and Ryan Lewis, of Indianapolis, IN; and two very special adopted Missouri kids, Kale and Gretchen OBryan of Monroe City. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, one step-grandson and one expected Feb. 22, four great-grandsons, and numerous other relatives. Bruce was preceded in death by his first wife of over 40 years, Jean Dungan Hooper; his parents and grandparents; brothers, Albert F. Hooper, Jr. and Barry Mark Hooper (his identical twin); and a beloved nephew, Mark Hooper, all of California. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Yager-Kendrick Funeral Home in Monroe City, with Dr. Milton Baumgardner officiating. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. A private scattering of ashes will take place at a later date. Memorials have been suggested to the Monroe City Nutrition Center, the First Baptist Church of Monroe City, or the American Cancer Society. They all may be sent in care of Yager-Kendrick Funeral Home, 545 Stoddard St, Monroe City, MO 63456.