Obituary of James Hooks

James Hooks was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois. He was the youngest of ten children, a member of the United States Air Force, a scientist, a husband and a father. After graduating from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, he spent his working career at General Motors as an executive—but he would not want his memory to be about work. He also wouldn’t want a long memorial. He was a quiet man. He largely kept to himself and kept a very small circle of friends, who affectionately called him Jim. He didn’t need a crowd or recognition of the deeds he did professionally or personally. He found peace in solitude, meaning in making things with his hands, and joy in the rare connections he truly valued. Though he came from a large family, Jim stayed closely bonded to his immediate family, where love ran deep. Jim’s way of loving was often unspoken—but it was solid, unwavering, and real. He not only was deeply studied in computer and biological science, he encouraged his children’s love of science and technology, such as helping his son build his first computer, and introducing him to the joy of flight through simulators he created. Those moments were his way of saying, “I love you.” He had once served his country as an airman, but his love of flight never left him. Long after his military years, he found comfort in building model planes and helicopters, taking his children to the beach or park just to watch them soar. He didn’t force his passions; he simply invited us in, always letting us know that our own hobbies mattered too. Jim was also a craftsman. Whether he was fixing a car or laying a new roof on the house he owned for 50 years, he approached every task with pride and precision. It was never about showing off; it was about doing it right, doing it himself, and doing it with love. He held onto the things that worked and kept them working, his 1970s Chevy Vega among them – a quiet symbol of his loyalty and care. He had a deep love for animals, especially the family dogs. In recent years, Kingsley, his son’s companion of 19 years, became his friend too. When his son traveled, they kept each other company; Jim in the garage, Kingsley beside him, both of them content with the simplicity of shared sun and silence. Jim was quiet and introverted. Caring and careful. Stubborn in many ways but not without heart. The people and things he loved, he loved deeply, and not much else he made time for. He passed away at the home he shared with his family for 50 years. He is survived by his wife of 60-plus years, Rachel, his daughter, Maqueda, and his son, James.