James Richard Hooper

HOOPER, JAMES RICHARD, 48, of Auburndale, FL, died in an airplane crash on Friday, July 1, 2005, He was born August 15, 1956 in Lafayette, Indiana. Mr. Hooper received his Bachelor of Arts degree and law degree from Florida State University, 1979 and 1983, respectively. In law school, Mr. Hooper was a member of the Moot Court Team and was inducted as a member of the Order of the Coif, an institute comprised of the brightest minds in law schools throughout the country. Mr. Hooper became licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and a member of The Florida Bar in 1983.

Mr. Hooper was an Eagle member of The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and a member of the Presi-dent's Club of The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; he was also a member of the NASD National Arbitration & Mediation Committee, Mr. Hooper focused his expertise on representing victims of securities fraud, automobile and motorcycle accidents, worker's compensation and Mass Tort. Jim was also competitively involved in dirt bikes, go-carts, street bikes, jet skis, and deep sea fishing. He enjoyed all aspects of mechanics including building and re-building motorcycles, cars, trucks, jet-skis, boats and planes. In his later years, Jim discovered his passion for flight, which was soon to include a helicopter's pilot's license.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, son, and brother. He led his wife and three children into a life full of love and adventure. He was an admired mentor and friend to every life he touched. Survivors include wife, Susan M. Hooper; son, Dylan James Hooper; daughters, Chloe M. Hooper, Nicole Vargas Hooper, all of Auburndale, FL; brother, Clark Hooper, Clearwater, FL; sister, Nancy Hooper Becerra, Lake Worth, FL, Susan Minor Hooper, Jupiter, FL; father, Richard Hooper, Bradenton, FL; mother, Virginia Marie Hooper, West Palm Beach, FL; three nieces; one nephew; three godsons. A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday, July 6, 2005 from 4-6PM at Oak Ridge Funeral Home, Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to James Richard Hooper Scholarship Fund, c/o Allen & Echemendia, Attorneys at Law, 2920 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, Florida 33803.

OAK RIDGE FUNERAL CARE, Winter Haven, FL is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent via www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 7/5/2005.

August 15th

It is difficult to describe my dad. I know of no words that can truly and fully justify what an incredible person he was. He was so much more than a father to me. He was a hero. He was my victor.

Happy Birthday Daddy. I wish I could talk to you for only one minute. What I would give for just one minute Dad. I miss your crazy laugh and your genius ideas. You were my everything and somehow even the thought of you still humbles me to this day. I don't know what you're doing now or where you are, but wait for me. It's an understatement, but I love you so much. I will always remember the Bubble Room.

I miss you Dad,
Nikki

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I am a former associate of Mr. Hooper's, and am stunned and saddened by this
tragedy. He gave me my first real opportunity in the legal profession, and I
will always remember his sense of humor and intelligence.

I wish to offer my deepest condolences to all of his family and friends.

He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

Charles Weeks
cweek@brdwlaw.com

In a sport/activity that has a very high turnover rate, not sure how many of you are out there that might remember "Hooper" from his CCS racing days several years ago.......ran # 202.

I am saddened to report that we lost him Friday when he was killed in a plane crash. He had replaced road racing motorcycles with the less dangerous (?) hobby of flying experimental aircraft and had a problem shortly after takeoff.

Below are the links to story and obituary notice from the Orlando Sentinel newspaper:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-loccrash02070205jul02,0,3583613.story

http://www.legacy.com/orlandosentinel/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=14459246

Our thoughts are with his wife, Susan, and their children.

From Kari Kinsey Graves

Click on the above link and add your wishes to the sign in book. Thanks, JM

Attorney-pilot killed in Winter Haven airplane accident
James Richard Hooper was known for his integrity and his love of family.

By Amy L. Edwards and Beth Kassab | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted July 2, 2005

WINTER HAVEN -- An Orlando lawyer was killed Friday when his single-engine plane crashed just after take-off at Winter Haven Municipal Airport.

James Richard Hooper, who lived in Auburndale but practiced law in Orlando, was piloting his high-performance tail dragger about 9:10 a.m. when it crashed, said Winter Haven city spokeswoman Donna Sheehan.

Witnesses at the airport off U.S. Highway 92 said the plane -- which instead of having wheels under the nose has a wheel under the tail -- never reached good flying speed. When the aircraft got about 100 feet above the ground, it banked left at a slow speed and rolled, and then dove nose first into the runway, said Jim Thompson, a pilot who saw the accident.

"When we got there it just started to catch fire and fuel was all over the place," said Mike Birri, a flight instructor who witnessed the crash and tried to save Hooper. "Basically it caught fire before we could do anything more.

"It was frustrating to watch it happen," he said.

Hooper was on his way Friday to pick up his 15-year-old son in Orlando and then continue on so the two could join family at their home in the Bahamas for the long holiday weekend.

Hooper, 48, practiced law since 1983 with a concentration on product liability, workers' compensation, securities and other litigation.

"He loved the fact that he could help people," said Linda Howard, his personal assistant of 10 years. "He was a very giving man."

A graduate of Florida State University Law School, Hooper considered flying a hobby but also used his planes for work traveling among several offices, Howard said.

"He'll be missed; he was wonderful," Howard said. "Probably one of the most ethical people you'd ever want to meet."

Rodney Spivey, a family friend and neighbor, said Hooper's wife did not want to comment.

"He was a wonderful person," Spivey said. "He was devoted to his wife and family. I couldn't say enough things about him."

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash.

Amy L. Edwards can be reached at aledwards@orlandosentinel.com or

863-422-3395. Beth Kassab can be reached at bkassab@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5448.

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Jim was my dearly beloved friend and a great boss. I miss you so much Jim.... I am lost and the office is not the same without you. You will forever remain in my heart. I love you.... Dao Churchill

Jim Hooper was a great father, husband, lawyer, competitor and loved life and all that fun things that involve risk. We racers never view our sport as risk, but most outside out industry do. Jim was careful on the track, he was after all having fun. The fact that he won a championship just showed how much he enjoyed his time with us.

His wife Sue and his children were always present when he raced. He made sure they were close at hand... always.

I had the pleasure of knowing him and the family. I used to tease him about being an old guy despite the fact that I was 11 years older than him.

He will be missed by everyone he came in contact with.

I sit here knowing that I'm right in the middle of the two worse months of the year for me, DJ, Jeremy and Jamie. I guess its just the way it is.

We all wish only the best for Sue and the family.

Please feel free to add any comments to this page, Just send them to me and I'll paste them up.

Godspeed good friend,

Smokin Joe