Whether drinking coffee at his corner table at Studebakers, cheering in the stands at a local basketball game or walking with Lucy in Fort Bragg, Don Hook never met anyone who remained a stranger for long.
More than anything, Don loved meeting people, sharing his story and learning theirs. His friendly personality, generous spirit, and big heart made him a beloved figure in Kelseyville and beyond.
Donald Allen Hook was born on January 23, 1923, at the family home in Kelseyville, Calif., to Rolla Hook and Aileen Hook.
Don and his sister Virginia grew up on the Hook ranch and attended Kelseyville schools. Don loved sports and played on every team he could at Kelseyville High School before graduating as the class salutatorian in 1940.
Don continued his education at the University of California at Berkeley, where he majored in electrical engineering and played on the Freshman Basketball team.
After two years at Cal, the war started and Don enlisted in the Army. He was trained to work on aircraft radar and served in France where he worked on bombers. He and his buddies enjoyed riding their bicycles through the countryside and meeting people.
When the war ended, Don planned to continue his education at Berkeley, but as he said, “I stood in line to enroll for hours, and the line never moved,” so he returned to Kelseyville, and purchased a grocery store on Main Street.
Soon after opening the store, he made the best decision of his life, hiring the valedictorian of his graduating class, Lucy Stokes, as his bookkeeper. Their relationship progressed rapidly and Don and Lucy were married in April 1947. Don and Lucy were married for 64 years, until her death in 2011. They had three children, Connie, Jerry and Ken, and built their house on the Hook ranch.
In the early 50s, his father Rolla decided to retire, and offered Don the opportunity to run the pear ranch, so he sold the grocery store and became a pear farmer.
Together with his brother-in-law Charlie Neal, Don grew pears on the Hook Ranch. The Hook and Neal children grew up moving irrigation lines, driving tractors and enjoying life on the ranch.
In the mid-1960s, Don left the ranch and began working with Lucy’s brother Russell Stokes manufacturing ladders at Stokes Ladders in Kelseyville. He continued at the ladder shop until he gradually retired in the early 2000s. After retiring, Don worked on his walnut ranch well into his 80s.
Community and family were very important to Don. He was a master of the Hartley Masonic Lodge, a charter member of the Kelseyville Lions Club and refereed high school basketball games. He served as scoutmaster of Kelseyville Troop 48 for years, and was honored with a scoutmaster’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award.
In 1964 he attended National BSA Jamboree in Valley Forge Pennsylvania as Scout Master of the Silverado Area troop.
Don was a member of the school board for Kelseyville Unified, including serving as president, and was on the board of the Lake County Hospice. Don belonged to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church and enjoyed participating in Church activities. Late in life, Don took great pleasure in his Sunday School, bible studies and discussions with Pastor Steve Nesheim.
Don maintained his love of sports throughout his life. He regularly took his family to track meets, baseball, basketball and football games in the Bay Area, often involving his beloved Cal Bears. He was a familiar and vocal figure at Kelseyville and Clear Lake High School sporting events, especially those in which his children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren participated.
Don and Lucy were wonderful role models on how to age gracefully, and were often seen walking hand-in-hand. They enjoyed traveling in their motor home, and made numerous friends while staying in Fort Bragg or at Lake Berryessa. They both exercised regularly, swimming, walking and working out into their eighties. Don also loved solving crossword puzzles and the jumble in the local newspaper.
He took great pleasure in his family, and was dearly loved by his daughter, sons, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was generous with his time, money and energy, and found satisfaction in helping those who were less fortunate.
Don is survived by daughter, Connie Burnes, and sons Jerry (Karen) Hook and Ken (Pam) Hook. His grandchildren include Ryan (Jamie) Murphy, Tom (April) Hook, Jenn (Travis) Avila, Andrew (Kelly) Hook, Kate (Ken) Goldfine, Marilyn Hook and Kory Hook. He also leaves six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Virginia Neal, and his wife of 64 years, Lucy Hook.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m.
Gifts in his memory may be made to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church at P.O. Box 301, Kelseyville, CA 95451.
