Jerome Hooper

Jerome Hooper was born December 23, 1970 in Inglewood, California, to Samuel and Deborah Hooper. Jerome passed away September 23, 2019, as a result of complications from a medical condition he battled, with courage and quiet dignity, for many years.

Jerome attended and graduated from Gahr High School in Cerritos, California in 1989. Subsequently, he received an Associate Degree in Computer Science from ITT Institute in Buena Park, California in 1991.

After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1993, he met Ofelia “Faye” Beyer, his future wife. Both Jerome and Faye were transitioning from prior relationships. While in Las Vegas, Jerome worked as a Manager for a financial services company. Faye returned to her home city of Phoenix, Arizona while Jerome remained in Las Vegas. After living in Las Vegas for three years, Jerome moved to Phoenix, Arizona to be closer to Faye and her family. There they were married. A happy occasion for the Rodriguez and the Hooper families. Jerome, Faye and her son Robert returned to California and took up residence in Pasadena, California until his death.

Being the entrepreneur he always wanted to be, he started a barbecue catering business in the mold of his grandfather, Nesbert Hooper, Sr. He spent many hours developing his recipes for the enjoyment of his customers, friends and relatives. Until his health declined, he provided catering for various entities including a contract for the City of Pasadena for pop-up barbecue catering during their summer concert series. His day job was that of a Computer Programmer and Information Technology Manager for his father’s company, Sam Hooper & Associates, Inc.

His other interests included sailing, fishing, road travel, and music. He was an avid L.A. Dodgers baseball and Washington Redskins football team fan.

Jerome was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Nesbert Sr. and Anita Hooper; and his maternal grandparents, O.C. and Azalean Craig. Jerome is survived by his wife, Ofelia, her son, Robert Beyer. His parents, Sam and Deborah, his sister, Jacquelyn, his many aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and friends, and his beloved dog, Roscoe.