Walter Edward Hooge

Walter Edward Hooge, Jr. was born on July 5, 1941, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Walter Edward Hooge, Sr. and Louise Boeneke Hooge. Shortly afterward he was joined in this life by his brother, David Carl and later his sister, Sharon Elizabeth.
He was baptized on August 10, 1941, and later confirmed on June 26, 1955 at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, Louisiana and was an active member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod his entire life. For the last 50 years he worshiped at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Longview, Texas.
In his early years he enjoyed attending church activities such as Vacation Bible School where he was first exposed to woodworking. He also enjoyed participating in 4H activities where he raised corn, pigs, cows, and chickens. He attended Baker High School where he played clarinet in the band and graduated as valedictorian in 1959. He went on to attend Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he was also in the band and graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree.
Upon graduation, he worked for Crown Zellerbach in St. Francisville, LA until he received his army commission. Early on he was stationed in Fort Wolters, TX. This is where he met his future wife, Vernell Elaine Buckner, while she was visiting the base with a group from Texas Woman’s University. After that he served as an advisor to the Republic of Korea Forces in peacetime service in Yongju, Korea as a US Army Operations Officer. He was later awarded The Army Commendation Medal for his leadership in Korea.
In 1969 he moved to Longview, TX to work for Eastman Kodak. Shortly after, he married Vernell Buckner on November 15, 1969. They were blessed with three children and 10 grandchildren. He always enjoyed visiting with family members and attending family events taking his family on Amtrak trips across the US. After 30 years, he retired from Eastman Chemical in 1999.
After a 30 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Walt was united with his Savior on May 21, 2019. He spent his last 2 years at Buckner Westminster Place. The family appreciates the loving care provided by his caregivers and the Buckner staff.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter E. Hooge, Sr. and Louise Boeneke Hooge and his granddaughter, Kathryn Hooge.
He is survived by his wife, Vernell Hooge. He is also survived by his siblings, David Hooge and wife, Fran; sister, Sharon Rushing and husband, Mark; his son, Paul Hooge and wife, Jennifer and their children, Colleen, Matthew, and Anna; daughter, Karen Beakley and husband, Darin, and their children, Sterling, Grant, and Laurelise; and daughter, Ruth Case and husband, Gordon and their children, Samuel, Harrison, and Levi.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 6-8:00 pm on Friday, May 24, 2019, in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Longview, Texas.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorials be made in Walter's memory to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.