Philip Anthony Hooper
April 08, 1956 - January 03, 2020

Philip Anthony Hooper passed into his eternal rest on January 3, 2020 at the age of 63 years and 9 months.

He is pre-deceased by his father Harold H. Hooper, mother Bernice Wood Hooper, and sister, Rebecca Hooper. He is survived by his husband, Wong C. Lee and his godchildren, Megan Harris Diba and Danielle Masten.

Phil grew up in Jonesboro, Georgia, (near Atlanta) and attended Jonesboro Baptist Church. He directed the children's choir at age 14 and played the organ and piano for many of the functions there. At the age of 12, he sang with the Atlanta Symphony Children's Chamber Chorus under the direction of Dr. Robert Shaw and continued to sing with Dr. Shaw through college.

Phil moved to Houston in 1981 and played organ for Spring Branch UMC. In 1989, he began his career at John Wesley UMC where he spent 31 years. Beyond being the Director of Music and Fine Arts, Phil was responsible for the children's and adult's bells and choirs for many years. Most of the musicals, plays and talent shows were under his direction, and for many years, he worked with the altar guild and hospitality committee. He also started and headed up the Fine Arts Academy. He was staff support for the 55+ group and enjoyed many a trip and meal with them.

In the early days of the HIV crisis, he was at the forefront of care and support of that community. He also directed, sang with, and accompanied The Gay Men's Chorus of Houston.

He will be dearly missed.

Memorial donations may be made to the John Wesley United Methodist Church for use on a project dear to Phil's heart, 5830 Bermuda Dunes Drive, Houston, TX, 77069; or the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Houston – East Texas, P.O. Box 28, Sugarland, TX 77487.