On Sunday, April 11, 2010, Robert Ellis Hooten left his earthly bonds and was called home by his Lord. Robert was born March 26, 1936 in El Paso, Texas, the third child of Elton and Elsa (Sodke) Hooten. Funeral services will be held at the Mason Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow in the Gooch Cemetery. Tommy Lefan of Fredericksburg Church of Christ will officiate. Visitation will be at the Mason Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. Serving as pallbearers are Derek Hooten, Doby Hooten, Duke Hooten, Fritz Leifeste, Rae Leifeste, Cole Leifeste, Trey Hooten and Aayric Hooten. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren Dane Amos, Sean Ellis, Justin Reyes, Bobby Ziriax, Deacon Peterson, Wynn Knighton, Ethan Knighton, Dusty Raz, Amber Willman, Destiny Willman, Linsey Balmos, Kersey Peterson and Brooke Hooten

Robert was a multi-talented man. In his younger years, he was quite a football player and track star, still holding records over much of the state of Texas. A carpenter by trade, Daddy could build anything. He was also a very accomplished artist, and his works will stay in the homes of those he loved as a vivid reminder of him always. He had a beautiful voice, and was a wonderful guitarist, and he and his brother Elton, wrote and sang many of their own songs. He was a bush pilot, and felt joy in the sky! In other words, to us, our Daddy could do anything. He served his country proudly in the United States Army where he was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Robert met and fell in love with a very beautiful lady, JoAnn Widener, and they were married on July 27, 1962 in Clarendon, Texas. Together they traveled…..oh how they traveled….and lived for many years in Alaska. He loved the beauty of the land and the people there. Upon retirement, Robert and JoAnn returned to their native Texas and settled in Fredericksburg to be close to their family.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Elsa Hooten, a sister, Yvonne Leifeste, a brother, Elton L. Hooten, and a grandson, Quade Jones. He is survived by his wife of almost 48 years, JoAnn Hooten, four daughters: Debra Hooten and husband Lonny Ortega of San Angelo, Lisa Ziriax and husband Pat of Hext, Leian Peterson and husband Kenny of Fredericksburg, and Stacy Hooten of Mason, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson. Also surviving are his brothers, Terry Hooten of Mason and Chris Hooten of Willow, Alaska, and many nieces and nephews.