Charles “Gordon” Hooper, age 81, passed away at home surrounded by family on March 31, 2021, due to complications from Huntington’s Disease. He was born September 2, 1939, in Jackson County, North Carolina, to James Cordell and Myrtle (Daves) Hooper.

Gordon spent his first seven years in Tuckasegee, North Carolina. In 1947, his dad, mom, and two younger sisters piled in the Pontiac and headed west to Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Gordon wrestled in high school and took second place at State his junior year. During his senior year of high school, Gordon also worked a full-time job at Northern State Hospital to support his passion for nice/sporty cars. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1958 alongside his best friend, Bob Handy. Bob had a cute niece, Clara May, who he introduced to Gordon. On June 30, 1960, Gordon and Clara May eloped to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

In 1963, Gordon was drafted into the Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, where he was trained as a wheel & track mechanic. A year later, he was accepted to the Army wrestling team. In 1965, he was discharged as a SP4. Gordon and Clara May returned to Sedro-Woolley, purchased a fixer upper and started their family. In 1966, Gordon was hired at Skagit Steel/Bendix where he worked as a mechanical electrical maintenance foreman until the foundation closed in 1990. He continued to work on-site while the equipment was liquidated. The joke was that he turned off the lights at the plant on his way out.

A hardworking, reliable, and determined man throughout his life, Gordon owned and managed several properties, worked on vehicles, could fix just about anything around the house, and was financially smart. He was outgoing, had a good sense of humor, and was a great storyteller. Wherever he went, he was meeting new people.

Gordon had a motto, “work hard, play hard” which he did well. Gordon continued his love for wrestling by attending SWHS wrestling matches and state tournaments with family and friends. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations, traveling all over the United States. Visiting family in North Carolina was one of his favorite trips, which he did numerous times over the years. Gordon loved camping, dirt bike riding, and trips to Reno (the more people the merrier). He also enjoyed buffets, Nascar, buffets, garages sales, any sports, oh and buffets.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Clara May Hooper of Sedro-Woolley; daughter, Bonnie Morrill of Snohomish; four grandchildren and their partners, Chris White, Trevor Morrill (Dillon), Brandon White (Valesha), Rachael Morrill (Cadan); one great grandchild, Izabell White, and one more on the way; sister Burnette (Robert) Handy; brother-in-law, Bill Handy; sister-in-law, Diane (Don) Feeney; niece, Chris (Bob) Keane; nephews, Jeff (Lisa) Greenough, Mike (Julie) Handy, Bill Bailey, Dennis (Megan) Feeney, Kelly (Tammy) Bailey, Darrel Feeney (Danielle); and numerous cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vicki White; parents, James Cordell and Myrtle Hooper; sister, Lucille Greenough; father/mother-in-law, Howard and Clarissa Handy; and sister-in-law, Donna Bailey.

A Graveside Inurnment Service will be held at 1:00, Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley with Military Honors and Pastor Nick Harris presiding.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the Huntington’s Disease Washington Chapter http://washington.hdsa.org/ or Hospice of the Northwest www.hospicenw.org .