Robert Hooks

Robert Hooks

1929-2016

Funeral services for Robert “Bob”Alex Hooks, of Edgewood, were held Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at Cheatham Memorial United Methodist Church in Edgewood. Burial followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.

Mr. Hooks died June 18, 2016, in Wills Point.

He was born in Edgewood on Aug. 18, 1929, to the late Marcus Alexander Hooks and Inez Henrietta Hooks.

He graduated from Edgewood High School and attended Henderson County Jr. College where he played football for a year before transferring to Southern Methodist University in Dallas to be a member of the Mustang football team. He played on the 1951 team which defeated Notre Dame University (ranked #5), 27-20.

Following graduation, he joined the United States Army and was stationed at Presidio Army Base in San Francisco where he married Cynthia Gready of Wills Point.  After leaving the army, he and Cynthia moved to Wills Point for a short time before making their home in Edgewood, where he enjoyed farming and ranching.

He was a professional poker play and one of the pioneers of Texas Hold ‘em.   At the urging of his mentor, Johnny Moss, he made his way to Vegas to work for Benny Binion at the Horseshoe Casino.  There he learned the business side of poker and developing a card room.  He played in several World Series of Poker tournaments as well and finished second to Sailor Roberts in 1975.  In addition to working for Benny Binion, he also worked for Steve Wynn as executive host for the Golden Nugget Casino.  In 2014, he was honored to be nominated for the World Series of Poker Hall of Fame.

While poker playing was his vocation, family, cooking and ranching were his avocations.  He was known for his culinary talents and nothing brought him more joy than to be able to cook for his family. Anything he made got a five star rating ranging from his biscuits and gravy, to “Papa’s chili” to his chicken and dumplings – all of which were favorites of his grandkids. He was a gregarious man full of life, joy and love for his family. He cherished family time when all could be brought together to laugh, cook, tell stories and spend quality time together.

He was a member of Cheatham Memorial United Methodist Church in Edgewood and a charter member of Van Zandt Country Club. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marcus and Inez Hooks; sons, Bobby, Larry, and Ronnie and his brother, Jerry Hooks.

He is survived by his daughter, Catherine Perry and husband, Scott of Edgewood; daughter-in-law, Paula Hooks of Wills Point; brother, James Hooks and wife, Carolyn of Edgewood; sister, Mary Stewart and husband, Kelly of Edgewood; sister-in-law, Betty Hooks of Edgewood; grandchildren, Drew, Nick and Brett Perry and Bob, Bradley and Brandon Hooks and many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone at Crestwood Nursing Home from their love and devotion to him during his time there, and his dear friend and Doctor, John Turner, for his lifelong friendship, love, and care shown during these last few years.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cheatham Memorial United Methodist Church to support their Backpack Program.