Richard Gerald Hooper, 97, of Grangeville, Idaho, passed away June 26th, 2024 in Grangeville, Idaho.

Richard was born July 11th, 1926 to Oren and May Hooper in Lewiston, Idaho. Two years after Richard was born his mother and father died of influenza. Both died within 48 hours of each other, leaving four siblings. From age two he lived and attended school at Saint Gertrude’s Academy in Cottonwood for 10 years. He attended Grangeville High School for one year and then went into the Navy in 1944.

He met Louise Mae Ruzicka on a blind date and they were married in 1952 in Grangeville. In 1954 they moved to Pendleton, Oregon where he worked for the East Oregonian daily paper for 10 years. While there they adopted four children. He worked at  the Humbolt Times daily newspaper in Eureka, California and the News-Tribune in Caldwell, Idaho. In 1966 the family moved back to Grangeville where he worked for the Idaho County Free Press until retirement.

In 2000, Richard and Louise moved to Florida where they lived for 6 years. They then moved to Oregon for 6 years. In May of 2012 they came back to Grangeville. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; his parents, Oren and May Hooper, brothers, Stan and Bud and sister, Kathy.

Richard is survived by his sons, Steve (Chris) Hooper, Grangeville, Idaho, Joel (Kathy) Hooper, Gresham, Oregon, Ward (Rachel) Hooper, Boise, Idaho and daughter, Karen (Erin) Hooper of Portland Oregon, six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Service and Rosary will be held on July 13th, 2024 at St Peter and Paul Catholic Church at 10:30am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00am. Burial will follow and take place at the Prairie View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to Blackmerfuneralhome.com.