The Rev. Dr. Taylor D. Hooker Jr., 87, of Norris, Tennessee, entered into eternal rest December 5, 2022, free at last from the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is impossible to describe in a few paragraphs a lifetime of dedication and service as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, minister, and friend. Giving and ministering to others was the only way of life he knew. His life was devoted to faith, family, and sharing the gospel with everyone he met. He loved people. He baptized, married, and buried hundreds of loved ones and friends, ministered to many sick and grieving others, and those needing comfort. T.D. was very good at fixing things, anything.

Taylor, or T.D. as he was known by most, was born in Chatsworth, Georgia, as the seventh of eight children of the late T.D. Hooker Sr. and Annette Payne Hooker. He graduated from Murray County High School, and married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Roe, on December 8, 1957. He served in the Army National Guard for six years. He was raised on a farm and loved recounting the tale of the time he got kicked in the chest by a mule. He enjoyed fishing, golf, and tinkering on anything with parts.

He accepted the call to ministry in 1959, pastoring Cool Springs Baptist, Free Hope Baptist, and First Baptist Cohutta, located in north Georgia. Locally, he also pastored Clear Branch Baptist, First Baptist Norris, and First Baptist Caryville, along with interim pastorates at numerous local churches. He served the North American Mission Board as Director of Church and Community Ministries in the Clinton Baptist Association, and also served as chaplain of Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.

He was a lifelong learner and studier of the Bible. He graduated from Clear Creek Bible School (Pineville, KY), Cumberland College (Williamsburg, KY), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX), where he earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education, and Trinity Theological Seminary (Evansville, IN), where he earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. Upon completion of seminary, he returned to serve as assistant to the president and professor of pastoral ministry at Clear Creek Bible College (Pineville, KY) before returning to pastorates in Tennessee where he served until retirement.

He is survived by his wife and caregiver, Pat, daughter and son-in-law Jeanine and Rodney Reeder, daughter Carol Gillespie, grandchildren Brigette Hatmaker, Miranda Finch (Michael), Evan (Stacey) and Lauren Gillespie, great grandchildren Johnathon Pangle, Jacob Hatmaker, and Anastasia Gillespie, nephews David Witherow (Pam) and Jimmy Witherow (Christy) and several great nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his best friend and “best cat ever,” Calico, who he had many heartfelt and profound conversations with during his illness. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and daughter Diane Cruze. He had a special golfing and fishing bond with son-in-law Rodney, and most recently during his illness, developed a unique relationship with great grandson Johnathon, who provided caregiving reprieve and became a best friend.

His funeral service will be held Friday, December 9, 2022, at Norris First Baptist Church with arrangements by Cross-Smith Funeral Home of LaFollette. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow at 1:00PM then family and friends will proceed to Oak Grove Cemetery in Rocky Top for a graveside service with military honors conducted at the graveside by the Campbell County Honor Guard. Officiants will be Bill Harrison, long-time friend and fellow minister, and nephew Jimmy Witherow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Keystone Adult Day Program at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Condolences may be given online at http://www.cross-smithfuneralhome.com .

Arrangements by Cross-Smith Funeral Home.

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