Coach Brian Keith Hooker, 59, of Rochester, passed away at 2:32 PM, Thursday, January 3 , 2019 at his residence.

On September 10 , 1959, Brian was born in Rochester to Jack Barth and Carolyn Jane Coplen Hooker.  Growing up he shared his childhood with two sisters, Sheila and Lisa, and a brother Barth.  As a Rochester Zebra, Brian played varsity baseball, football and wrestling.  He graduated from RHS as a member of the class of 1977.

In pursuit of his dream to become a teacher and coach, Brian began classes at Indiana University at Bloomington.  In 1982 he earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health.  He was a member of the men's fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Patriotism beckoned and Brian answered the call, serving our country with the United States Army.  Most of his stint of service was in Arizona where he was stationed at Ft. Huachuca.  He was an administrative specialist assisting the chief in test operations from 1982 - 1984.  Following his honorable discharge, Brian  returned to the midwest and attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL where he began his masters studies.

On July 19 , 2003, Brian married the love of his life, Tamera Joan Lapierre, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Peru.  They enjoyed over 15 years of life's adventures.  Tammy and Brian  attended I.U.  football and basketball games.  They vacationed at Sanibel Island many times and recently took a memorable trip to Arizona where Brian introduced Tammy to Ft. Huachuca.  They also enjoyed staying fit,  riding their bicycles around the county. With a love for nature he enjoyed observing the habits of the cardinals who lived in his backyard. An avid sportsman, Brian cheered wildly for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and of course I.U's crimson and cream.  To relax he loved to attend as many RHS athletic events per week as possible, attended music concerts and read.

Mr. Hooker taught health and physical education for the Rochester Community Schools for the last two decades, inking his contract in 1998.  He was a member of the RCTA, ISTA,  NEA and  the Indiana High School Football Coaches Association.

Coach Hooker was a man of all seasons, who loved all sports.  He initially  coached as an RHS assistant football coach from 1992 - 1994.  In 1995 he moved to Triton Schools as a football  varsity assistant. As an assistant track coach for Pioneer High School Brian coached for the 1997 & 1998 track seasons. From 1996 - 2012 he headed up the  Rochester Middle School football teams.  Brian coached the RHS Zebra varsity baseball team for 15 years from 2000 - 2014, winning multiple sectionals and conference titles for RHS.  During the 2013- 2014 seasons Mr. Hooker coached the RMS track team. In the fall of 2017 and 2018,  Coach Hooker could be seen on the sidelines of Barnhart Field,  coaching the  Zebra varsity, men of the gridiron.

As a revered coach and teacher, Mr. Hooker was always one who could be counted on by students, athletes and colleagues in the classroom and on or off the field.  He was passionate about sports, and treasured the friendships he garnered.  Paramount in his life was his loving family.  He adored his wife and greatly admired his children, brother  and sisters.  Uncle Brian was an amazing uncle to his nieces and nephews.  His greatest attribute was being a Grandpa.  He always enjoyed great fun with his Grands.  They established traditions throughout the year with Grandpa Brian.  The most memorable was enjoying a "Charlie Brown Party."  He would lead them with dancing to Charlie Brown music.  They all enjoyed laughter and fun, making great memories.

Left to cherish Brian's memory are his wife, Tammy; a daughter, Jodi Richardson of Marshfield, WI; a stepson, Jesse Atkinson and wife Lauri of Rochester; three grandchildren: Alice, Harper and Hannah Atkinson; two sisters: Sheila Bohm and Lisa Keefe both of Rochester; nieces and nephews:  Callie Redington, Rob Redington, Shannon Summers, K.C. Riegle and husband Tracy, Jada Hooker, Jane Hooker, Whitley Barkman, Delaney Barkman, Alivia Riegle, Sophia Lapierre and Ryan Lapierre; father and mother-in-law David and Nancy Lapierre of Logansport; and brother-in-law Mark Lapierre of Greensboro, NC.

Preceding Brian in death are his parents Jack and Carolyn Hooker, and a brother, Barth Hooker on March 15 , 2013.

A celebration of the life of Coach Brian Hooker will be at 6:00 PM  on Sunday, January 6 , 2019 at Rochester Community High School gymnasium, 1 Zebra Lane, Rochester.  Friends may visit with the family from 1-6 PM on Sunday at the school. Military honors will be conducted by the Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard and the US Army Honor's Team. The family requests you  wear your I.U. hat or RHS hat for Brian. Please enter the gym at the Zebbie doors.

Funeral services will be at 4:00 PM on Monday, January 7 , 2019 at St. James Lutheran Church, 430 9 ^th St., Logansport. Pastor K.C. Dehning will officiate.  Memorials may be made to the RHS  Zebra Coaches Scholarship Fund, 1 Zebra Lane, Rochester, IN 46975 or to Kindred Hospice, 1476 W. 18 ^th St., Rochester, IN 46975.