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Henry Hooper II , 87, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away July 12.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, public servant, and community leader whose life was marked by his faith in God, service, and dedication to others.

Henry proudly served his country as a United States Marine, United States Army Green Beret Special Forces soldier, Vietnam veteran, and later as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. Following his federal service, he became the owner of a State Farm Insurance agency, where he continued serving the Memphis community for many years.

Throughout his lifetime, Henry was recognized for his leadership and commitment to public service. Among his many accomplishments, he served as Tennessee State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), was a Life Member of VFW Memphis Post 11333, served as a Memphis City Councilman, and was a member of the Memphis Crime Commission. He was also a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a former Tennessee At-Large Democratic Delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Henry was the recipient of an Emmy Award for the VFW Memphis-produced video essay, The Green Beret That Fought Muhammad Ali, which chronicled his lifetime of service and recounted his memorable boxing match with Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) during the 1960 U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials.

A proud Memphian, Henry graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and Memphis State University. A man of deep and unwavering faith, he served as a deacon at The New Olivet Worship Center, where he cherished his church family and lived out his commitment to serving God.

Henry found great joy in giving back to his community. Through Kappa Alpha Psi, he supported students at Guthrie Elementary School and participated in numerous community service initiatives. He was actively involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Fisher House Foundation, enjoyed cheering on his beloved University of Memphis Tigers, loved traveling, and treasured spending time with his family, friends, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Henry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Hildred Hooper; his parents, Ida Mae Hooper and Henry Hooper; his sisters, Phyllis Bell and JoAnn Tutson; and his brothers, Phillip Hooper, Willie Hooper, and Howard Hooper.

He leaves to cherish his memory his sons, Mark Hooper and Keith Hooper; his daughter, Kimberly Nichols (Clinton); his grandchildren, Wesley Rao (John), Brennan Bradfield (Christian), Haley Hooper, Henry A. Hooper, Nola Hooper and Madyn Hooper; his great-grandchildren, Charlotte Bradfield, Collins Bradfield and Willow Rao; his sister, Rose Hooper Lynch and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Fisher House Foundation or Memphis Arrow Academy of Excellence in honor of Henry's lifelong commitment to veterans, education, and community service.