Forrest L. Hooper, Jr. Obituary (1929

WARREN - Forrest L. Hooper, Jr., 74, died Friday, July 23, 2004 at his home here, surrounded by his family after an extended illness. He was also known as 'Hoop', 'Gramp', 'Junior', 'Poncho', 'June' or 'Woody'. Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, November 14, 1929, he was the son of Forrest L. Sr., and Georgianna Dean Hooper. He was educated in Massachusetts schools and after moving to Maine in 1943, attended local schools. July 25, 1953, he married Barbara Meklin in Rockland. The ceremony was performed by the late Reverend Charles McDonald. They were looking forward to celebrating their 51st anniversary this Sunday. In earlier years, he was employed at First National Store, Hugh Little Poultry Farm, United Farmers Co-Op, Eastern Auto and Rockland Wholesale. Since the early 1970s, he owned and operated The Feed Store in Rockland and more recently, in association with his son-in-law/business partner, moved that business to Route One in Thomaston. Known to many as "The Chicken Man", Mr. Hooper's knowledge of poultry and birds was sought after by many. A co-founder of Central Maine Bird Fanciers established in 1985, he enjoyed attending Bantam Shows from Prince Edward Island to Tennessee. He served as a judge with the American Bantam Association and as a Maine State Poultry Tester. He was honored by Northeastern Poultry Congress for his dedication to agriculture and youth in general. For many years, Mr. Hooper donated his time with 4-H youth, testing poultry at many agricultural fairs throughout Maine. Being a member of MOFGA, he served as Poultry Superintendent at Common Ground Fair assisted by his nephew Scott Monroe. Over the years, he enjoyed raising bantams and a variety of many other animals. He was a licensed HAM radio operator with call letters KBV9065 and a CB radio enthusiast with the handle "Poncho". Attending Blue Grass Festivals was also a favorite pastime. He was a quiet, soft-spoken man, loved by his family and friends. Pre-deceased by a brother William Hooper, two sisters, Mabelle Maker and Gloria Merrifield, Mr. Hooper is survived by his wife, one son, Thomas L. Hooper and his wife Vicki all of Warren; one daughter, Peggy H. Burgess and her husband Charles of Union; two granddaughters, Hillary and Trilby Burgess of Union; three brothers and their wives, George and Thelma Hooper of Bryant Pond, Lloyd and Shirley Hooper of Thomaston, Leon and Carol Hooper of Burketville; his sister Linda Monroe and her husband Richard of Warren; four brothers-in-law, Richard Merrifield and his companion Katie Wiley of Camden, Oke Meklin and his wife Susan of Warren, Kurt Meklin and his wife Brenda of Rockland, Donald Meklin and his wife Judy of Cushing; a sister-in-law Patricia Hooper of Machias as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday evening, July 27th, from 6:00 to 8:00 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday. The Reverend Terence Willis will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in Village Cemetery, Thomaston. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.