James W. Hooper, age 67, of Gloucester, died on Sunday, April 6, 2025. He was born in Eastport, Maine, to Jimmy and Polly Hooper. His younger years were spent living the life of a worldly traveler as his dad’s military career progressed. The family returned to Eastport in the fall of 1973. After an early graduation from Shead Memorial High School in 1975, he joined the U.S. Navy and began the “lifer” portion of his journey. His assignments included the USS Forrestal, Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, New London, Conn., Amcc9, Driver, Va., and ending a 20-year naval career in December 1994 at Naval Air Station, Norfolk. Next, he pursued a teaching certificate in Virginia while working numerous jobs. In 1995, he earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of the State of New York. In 1998, he earned his teaching certification and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Saint Leo College. In the fall of 1999, he began teaching at Peninsula Catholic High School. He transitioned from private to public school in 2000. Never one to give up on even more education, he earned a Master of Education (2006) from Cambridge College with a concentration in accelerated learning and a Master of Science (2007) from Longwood University, with an endorsement in K-12 library science. This opened the opportunity to be an elementary school librarian in two separate school divisions. (If you don’t know, a bad day in the library is better than a good day in the classroom!) In June of 2019, he retired from 20 years of working in education. He spent the next six months doing what most retirees would like to do, “as little as possible.” COVID-19 brought his career a jumpstart, as he began working with a local surveying company. Numerous trips and adventures with his wife and grandkids brought joy and enthusiasm to his retired life. James is survived by his wife of 41 years, Suellen; a daughter, Dr. Sarah Learman; a son, Dr. Deric Learman, and two wonderful grandchildren, William Learman and Elizabeth Learman; a sister, Hope Robinson (Richard); two nephews, Josh and James Murphy, and their families; as well as several cousins and endearing friends scattered across the world. An extended thanks to Melissa and all the Riverside Newport News Cancer Center for their care and concerns throughout my journey. A big thanks to Izzy and all who topped me off weekly at Riverside Walter Reed. Their compassion allowed me to continue as long as I could. Having lived a full life, there will be no service. Following cremation, the family will disperse ashes at various locations of interest to James. Contributions in memory of James may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, N.Y. 10306 or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 22324, New York, N.Y. 10087.

Arrangements under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory.