James "Jim" Hooper

james  hooper

August 10, 1967 ~ March 21, 2026

Born in: Nashville, Tennessee
Resided in: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

James “Jim” Hooper
August 10, 1967 – March 21, 2026

James “Jim” Hooper passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026, after a short battle with cancer.

Born on August 10, 1967, in Nashville, Jim was one of the “unicorns” spending his 58 years as a born and raised Nashvillian.  He touched the lives of many and with having the amazing gift of never meeting a stranger, he would know someone everywhere he went.  He enjoyed getting involved in the community especially as an active member of St Stephen Catholic Community.  Jim loved to travel and explore new places, most recently becoming enamored and having the opportunity to travel with his wife to Europe and enjoying the beauty, history and cultures of different countries.

Of all the things Jim enjoyed, the two he was most passionate about were his family and his Notre Dame Fighting Irish. As an avid sports fan, Jim enjoyed cheering on the Irish and the countdown to the college football season would start as soon as the previous season ended.  Above all, Jim’s family came first.  He was an amazing husband and father, and his love and dedication extended to the relationships with his extended family.

Jim’s legacy will live on through the relationships he built, values he instilled and memories he created in our hearts.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Wesley “Sonny” Hooper.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Laura; son, Ian; mother, Linda Kerr; brother Jeff Hooper (Sara); nieces/nephews, Kaylan Hooper, Zane Hooper, Evan MacLaughlin, Grace MacLaughlin; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins.

Visitation with the Hooper family will be held at St. Stephen Catholic Community, located at 14544 Lebanon Rd, Old Hickory TN 37138 on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, then again on Friday, March 27th, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will follow at 2:00pm, all at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the University of Notre Dame. Please direct your gift to the Rockne Athletics Fund for Football in memory of Jim Hooper. Gifts may be made online at giving.nd.edu/HooperMemorial, by phone at 574-631-5150, or by mail: University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Arrangements in the care of Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, Nashville, TN (615) 857-9955. We proudly remain locally owned & operated.

 

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Services

Visitation: March 26, 2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

St. Stephen Catholic Community
14544 Lebanon Road
Old Hickory, TN 37138


Visitation: March 27, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

St. Stephen Catholic Community
14544 Lebanon Road
Old Hickory, TN 37138


Funeral Mass: March 27, 2026 2:00 pm

St. Stephen Catholic Community
14544 Lebanon Road
Old Hickory, TN 37138


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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. All our love and prayers. Eternal Rest Grant unto Jim, O Lord, and let the Perpetual Light shine upon Him, May he rest in peace. Heaven got a new great angel!

  2. You will always be remembered as one of the kindest, welcoming, and caring persons ! You have touched so many including my family and I. We love you!

  3. Our hearts are broken for you Laura and Ian. Jim was such a good man of faith, devoted to his family and loved and respected by so many. We will always remember him with a smile and gratitude for having known him. We love you and are here for you.

  4. I am truly saddened by this news. I will always remember talking sports by the pool and enjoying your company. You will not be forgotten. Hilton Hesd will not be the same.

    The prayers of the whole Russo family are with you

  5. Jim was such a wonderful person, and I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I had the privilege of working with him, and I will always remember his infectious smile and the positivity he brought to those around him. He will truly be missed.

  6. Jim will truly be missed by many! He had a zest for life that was contagious. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

  7. Many prayers 🙏 for peace to lift up this family. Jim and Laura were the first friends we made when we moved to Old Hickory in 2001. They are the reason we joined St.Stephen Catholic Church. Jim always had a smile on his face and he would do anything to help anyone. He will be greatly missed.
    Marc and Molly Miller

  8. Laura – You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort during this very difficult time.

  9. My heart goes out to you and your family. I had the pleasure of working with him. He was always a joy to be around and was a happy and helpful person. He will be deeply missed.

  10. It was truly an honor to work with Jim. I loved his energy and the positive attitude he brought to everything he did. Jim always did what was right for our customers and was the first to volunteer whenever something needed to be done. After long, demanding days at shows, it was always a pleasure to unwind with Jim over a bourbon and talk about family and friends. He often spoke about how much he loved his wife and how proud he was of his son. Those conversations showed just how deeply he cared for those closest to him. Although Jim worked for me, he taught me so much about living life with a positive outlook. His willingness to help, his integrity, and his infectious optimism made a lasting impact on everyone around him.
    Thank you for being you, Jim. You will be missed so much.

  11. It was truly a privilege to be on the same team with Jim. He was as nice of a person you ever want to meet. He was a very humble and dedicated person, who would go out of his way to help you out. I only wish we would have spent more time together. What a GREAT guy, he will most definitely be missed. I will always remember his kindness and his ability to make everyone around him feel comfortable. He made a lasting impression, and I am honored to have known him

  12. The dearest of friends—some of our family’s happiest times were spent doing life with the Hoopers.
    Jim had a special way of making everyone around him feel loved and truly welcomed.
    The world feels a little dimmer today without his light. He will be deeply missed.

  13. I was fortunate to work with Jim. It was truly an honor and a privilege to get to enjoy time with him on drives to customers and work events with him. He was such a positive and outgoing person. He made long days easy and will remember the great times we had. I am a better person for knowing Jim and appreciate everything he taught me, not just about the job but about living life. He will truly be missed.


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