Albert G. Hooper Jr.

Albert “Al” Gordon Hooper Jr., 93, of Charles Town, WV departed this life Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, at Hospice of the Panhandle.
Born Oct. 28, 1927, in Lakewood NJ, he was the son of the late Albert and Virginia (Westhall) Hooper. He was raised in Chevy Chase, D.C., and attended Woodrow Wilson High School class of 1945.
Following graduation, Al entered the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in September 1946. Immediately after discharge he enrolled in the School of Engineering at George Washington University. After his junior year, he began working as the Field Engineer on the restoration of the White House. In the evenings, Al attended night school at George Washington University and attained a degree in Civil Engineering in 1951.
It was during this time that Al met his future wife, Barbara “Barb” Hunter, in speech class. They wed shortly after his graduation. They were married for 58 years and had three children: Stephen “Steve” H., Pamela W., and James (Jack) H., as well as one granddaughter, Emily H.
Al and Barb lived in the Washington area for several years. During this time, he worked for they Navy’s Department Bureau of Ships and had a promising career. He reached the level GS9 after a year and a half.
After a couple years, Al grew bored with Government employment. In March 1954, Al, Barb, and Steve moved to Charles Town, WV (Barb’s hometown) where he decided to try self-employment.
He organized “A.G. Hooper Inc.”, a surveying, engineering, and construction company. During the years of 1954-1971, the company experienced large growth with a wide range of projects.
This period included the initial phases of Shannondale, design of the 1957 Citizens Fire Co. building, the design and construction of all the field work of Shenandoah Downs Race Track, several buildings of Cliffside Motel, the Charles Town Library, restoration of several Antebellum Homes, and numerous private homes of various sizes.
In 1971, Al decided to build in one location; he purchased 256 acres and created two corporations with five stockholders. One of the companies was Shenandoah Development Co. and the other was Tuscawilla Utilities, a water sewer co. The name of the project was Tuscawilla Hills.
Tuscawilla Hills was the first planned unit development family subdivision in Jefferson County. The 260-acre subdivision contains 350 single family houses, 120 duplex units, 56 townhomes, and 62 apartments, plus a 4 store shopping center. Tuscawilla Hills is a self-contained community with its own central water supply and sewage disposal systems (designed and built by Al), paved streets with streetlights, and fire hydrants. Also, Al installed a cable television system which has since been acquired by CR-TV of Charles Town and Frederick. In 1989, Tuscawilla was voted the Outstanding Development in WV by the WV Builders Association. Shortly before the completion of Tuscawilla Hilla, Al designed and oversaw the construction of Locust Hill Golf Course.
Additionally, Al was very dedicated to his community; he developed Master Plans for both Sam Michael’s and South Jefferson Parks, designed and oversaw construction of the current Boys & Girls Club facilities, aided with design, engineering, and construction of the South Jefferson Library, and modified, designed, and supervised the construction of Morgan’s Grove Parks concession building. In 1999, Al received the Governor’s Service Award for Outstanding Volunteer.
In 1997, Al was elected Jefferson County Commissioner. During this time, he aided Jefferson County by working with county libraries to increase yearly contribution, was instrumental in helping adopt a paid ambulance service, worked closely with other commissioners to establish a water advisory committee, convinced the commission to engage USGS to do a comprehensive water study for evaluation of ground water resources, and calculated the county’s space needs through year 2025, while also preparing four optional plans to satisfy these requirements. Al retired in 2005, and he and Barbara traveled to Ireland, Alaska, and Canada!
He is survived by one son, James (Jack) Hooper; one daughter, Pamela (Brian Higgs); one granddaughter, Emily Hooper and fiance Seth Wilson; and Brenda Hooper, all of Charles Town, WV.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Hooper; and son Stephen Hooper.
Al had many affiliations including: South Jefferson Recreation Council, Jefferson County Boys and Girls Club Board, Jefferson County Planning Commission, Charles Town Utility Board, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Shepherdstown Men’s Club, Old Opera House Board of Directors, and Old Charles Town Library Board of Directors.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, at Zion Episcopal Church in Charles Town, WV with the Rev. Dean Lawrence officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430, www.hospiceotp.org
Condolences may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.