Well known business and political entrepreneur John Jay Hooker passed away early Sunday morning (1/24/2016) at age 85 after a year's battle with cancer.
He was diagnosed with stage four metastatic melanoma almost a year ago to the day (January, 2015). Hooker's most recent political fight was for "death with dignity" legislation. Hooker's persuasive ability had State Representative Craig Fitzhugh (R-Ripley, TN) sponsoring the bill in the 109th Tennessee General Assembly that began a few weeks ago, and the well-known orator was to have been its voice.
Throughout his life, Hooker was a believer in letting your clothes be your calling card. Everyday and everywhere he wore a navy blue sport coat with a flamboyantly placed white pocket square, red and blue striped tie, gray slacks, and often a white hat. Even in his final days, this was his attire.
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander commented, "John Jay Hooker Jr.'s remarkable personality spread a bright light across Tennessee government and politics for a half century. He had friends everywhere. Honey and I will greatly miss his enthusiasm, his sense of purpose, and his friendship."
This state's other U.S. Senator, Bob Corker (R-Chattanooga) said, ""Through his many highs and lows, John Jay embraced life in such a way that he was always on the verge of a major breakthrough," said Corker. "I will miss him, his optimism, and our periodic conversations about the direction of our country."
Hooker grew-up the son of one of this state's most successful barristers, which helped to set his life's path. He graduated in 1948 from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, then to the University of the South where he completed his undergrad studies in 1952, served two-years in the U.S. Army as an investigator with the Judge Advocate General's Corp. After that, Hooker signed-up for Vanderbilt Law School. He graduated in 1957 and joined his father's legal practice: Hooker, Keeble, Dodson, and Harris.
In 1958, Tennessee Governor Frank Clement asked Hooker to assist prominent attorney Jack Norman, Sr. with the Judge Raulston Schoofield corruption investigation in Chattanooga. The judge was charge with accepting a bribe in criminal court. Based on their evidence, an impeachment proceeding began against Judge Schoofield. Hooker was chosen to be the prosecutor of this case before the state senate. One of the witnesses to testify against the judge was Bobby Kennedy, who was counsel to a U.S. senate committee investigating labor union corruption. The two remained close friends until Kennedy's death. His mesmerizing personality also attracted friends like movie star Warren Beatty and world famous boxer Muhammed Ali.
In 1966, Hooker threw his hat into the political arena and ran on the Democratic Primary against incumbent Governor Buford Ellington. Although his first effort failed, in 1970 he was successful in becoming the Democratic candidate for governor of Tennessee. However, he was defeated by Memphis Republican Dentist Winfield Dunn in the general election. Hooker never gave-up, and in 1976 ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate against incumbent James Sasser.
CLICK to hear his popular political musical theme (from MTSU's Gore Center). A variation was used in each of his efforts.
Hooker and his brother Henry used their legal expertise to persuade and form several well-known businesses. Hospital Corporation of America was one of them. Another was Linn Broadcasting.
And as franchise fever swept the nation, the Hooker's worked with Sarah Cannon to start Minnie Pearl's Chicken. Initially, it was a run-away success. But in the 1970s, the Securities and Exchange Commission looked into reported accounting irregularities in Minnie Pearl's Fried Chicken. After a thorough investigation, there were no irregularities found. However, Hooker had to liquidate other assets to support that fast-food franchise.
After the 70's, Hooker's quest for success and fortune never seemed to materialize, but he never gave up. His blue sport coat, red striped tie and gray slacks remained his uniform until death.
