Charles Douglas Hooks “Charlie”, 90, of Amelia Island, Florida, went home to the Lord July 9, 2022.

Charlie was born on March 23, 1932 in Montgomery, AL to the late James and Laura Hooks. He grew up in China Grove, AL.

After high school he enlisted in the United States Army in March 1951, reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. Charlie served in the Korean War and was a pilot in the Vietnam War flying the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter on countless operations. On one particular night, he rescued a squad of soldiers that had become separated from their unit from certain enemy death. Of course, no one would have known this until many years later when one of those men wrote a heartfelt thank you letter that brought this episode to light. That was typical of Charlie, never promoting himself. Charlie is a true American hero that gave a large portion of his life to defending the country and freedom we all now enjoy.

Upon retiring from the Army after 21 years, in 1973, Charlie began a second career as a high school teacher at Forrest Park Senior High. After 20 years of teaching and finally retiring for good, Charlie moved with his wife, Patricia, from Atlanta to Amelia Island, FL. While leaving the working world was welcomed by Charlie, he still stayed quite active in local activities and events such as offshore fishing, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, cooking in the annual Fernandina Shrimp Festival and, of course, working in his yard, garden and with his large Koi pond.

Charlie loved his fried fish and shrimp and was personally known by the wait staff at any seafood restaurant on the island. They would all argue who got to wait on him as they knew a generous tip would be coming. It was typical for them to already have his diet Coke sitting on a table by the time he was seated. Charlie was an avid and lifelong fan of his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team and thoroughly enjoyed watching the games with family and friends. He probably had more University of Alabama shirts than Tide coach Nick Saban and was proud to wear them.
Charlie leaves behind his loving wife, Patricia, of 50 years, children/stepchildren: Charles Wayne Hooks of Columbus, GA.; Wanda Hooks Leclerc of Orange Beach, AL; Brenda Hooks Byrd of Mayodan, NC; Susan Cole (Jonathan) Plumb of Jacksonville,FL; and Billy (Carol) Cole of Hilton Head, SC; grandchildren: April Leclerc (Angelo) DePaola of Orange Beach, AL; Austin (Fallon) Leclerc of Ft.Mill, SC; Haley Plumb of Jacksonville, FL.; Lindsey Cole Nix of Charleston, SC; Kyle Cole of Myrtle Beach, SC; great-grandchildren: Dylan Leclerc, Atticus Leclerc, Lucas Leclerc, Charlie Jane DePaola, Declan DePaola, Liam Nix, Aspen Nix, and Miles Cole.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2022 11:00AM, at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends at a reception to be held immediately after the service at Baxter’s Restaurant.