JOSEPH CLARK HOOKER, 83, of Cordova, TN, passed away peacefully March 21, 2011 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by family and friends. J.C. or Joe, "Jaybird" or "TaTa" or "Handsome," were frequent names he was called by family and those who knew him and loved him. He leaves his wife of 54 years, Jane Howles Hooker, and two sons, Dennis C. Hooker of Louisville, KY and Derrel C. Hooker of Miami, FL; one daughter, Jana Hooker McCormack of Tumbling Shoals, AR; one brother, Bobby Hooker of Oakland, TN; three sisters, Malissa Greer of Eads, TN, Agnes Luster of Eads, TN and Evangeline Rutledge of Augusta, GA. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Hooker Palmer , and his parents, Frederic A. Hooker and N. Ruby Bryan of Eads, TN, two brothers, James F. Hooker and "Buddy" Hooker, KIA during WWII, sisters, Lula Coulter, Thelma Lemons and Burnice Ligon. J.C. attended Cordova and Germantown High Schools and left to attend the Hooker Farm of 156 acres when his older brothers left for the service. He was an All-Army boxer who later sparred with National Karate Champion Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. During the Army, he served as a high speed radio operator in the 3118th Signal Service Group and served in Frankfurt Au Main, Germany in the first occupation group at the close of the war. Later Joe served in the Merchant Marines on the Great Lakes on the Louis W. Hill. The cold got to him and he missed his mother's "Southern Biscuits". Joe was the owner of Hooker Drywall Service and was proud of his "Quality Service" lifetime guarantee on his work. After retirement, he began to enjoy more recreational activities such as motorcycle trips to Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and 48 states. His love of Mexico brought him back for 18 years on personal mission trips to Baja, CA, and San Ignacio taking bicycles, bedding, clothing, generators, etc. He taught himself Spanish and could write it and speak conversationally. He loved baseball and as a young person, he played A league softball as centerfielder, sponsored and played basketball with Treadwell High School students well into his forties. Gardening on a big scale, with his wife, Jane and Elma Roane was a favorite pastime as well. Also, he always wanted to fly, so he bought himself a Cessna 172 Skyhawk and flew cross-country with family and friends even to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Joe's true love was his family and their sport and recreational activities. He provided them with opportunities first before he started his adventures. He is survived by his precious grandchildren, Jordan, Cage and Katie Hooker, Tucker and Buck McCormack and Brittany Palmer , and great-grandson, his everyday joy, Gabriel Schwaun. Pallbearers to serve are: Jordan Hooker, Phil Rountree, Robert Nelson, George Thomas, James Gann, Roger Epperson and Honorary pallbearers, Cage Hooker, Tucker McCormack, James "Buck" McCormack and Michael Gabriel Palmer . Visitation was Wednesday, March 23 from 4-7 p.m. at Bethany Christian Church and Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. at Bethany Christian Church. Burial will be in the Bethany Cemetery . Memorial contributions can be made to Bethany Christian Church or Bethany Cemetery Association, 421 Bethany Road, Eads, TN 38028. Family Funeral Care (Published in The Commercial Appeal on March 24, 2011)