Former Chief Justice Perry Hooper Sr. Dies at 91

Former Alabama Chief Justice Perry Hooper Sr. has died at the age of 91. His son told The Associated Press that he died Sunday morning at his home in Montgomery.

Hooper Sr. was elected to serve as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 1995. He had previously served in the Marine Corps and also once worked as staff attorney for Justice Davis Stakely. He served in a private law practice when he was elected probate judge of Montgomery County, then circuit judge until 1983.

Hooper Sr. was a member of the Capitol City Kiwanis Club. He also coached football and basketball in youth leagues for many years.

Governor Robert Bentley released this statement on Hooper’s passing, “I am saddened to hear of the passing of former Chief Justice Perry Hooper Sr. today. Chief Justice Hooper was the first Republican Chief Justice to be elected since Reconstruction, and he served our citizens with honesty and integrity during his time on the Supreme Court. He was a role model for many Republicans and valued public service. He was a Marine veteran and a strong family man. I know Alabamians join me in praying for his family, especially his wife Marilyn and their children, during this time.”