Edward E. "Jack" Hooker, at age 93 of Ovando Montana, passed away at home on Montana Mountain View Ranch. A celebration of life will be held on August 24, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Bill and Dena Hooker's residence in Ovando, Montana.
Jack was born in Hermiston, Oregon on November 19, 1930. At age six he worked with his uncle, LaVern, learning to ride and break horses for surrounding ranchers. This started his passion for working with horses, which lasted his entire life. He would take a "troubled" horse and turn it into a companion. He was gifted by being a true "horse whisperer."
On a rainy night, at age 13, Jack took a saddle horse and a pack horse and headed for Nevada, crossing the high desert of Oregon. He found work riding rough stock on the Printey Brothers Ranch. Jack made a name for himself quickly by his strong work ethic and integrity and his ability to ride most any horse. These traits allowed Jack to find work with ease as his reputation went out ahead of him.
In the late 1940s Jack worked for Frank Morgan, running wild horses by horseback. After he learned to fly, he used an airplane to gather the wild horses off the mountains and desert. After a few wrecks with the airplane, from which he walked away, Jack ended his short flying career.
In 1951 he joined the U.S. Army. After basic training he volunteered for combat in Korea, spending three years overseas, a small stint driving tanks and then as a lineman on the DMZ and in Seoul keeping the power on for the troops.
In 1954 he came to Montana and started working for Tom and Helen Edwards and the White Tail Ranch. Tom taught him the outfitting business. Outfitting allowed for Jack's love of horses to continue. He developed his love for people and his storytelling flourished.
Jack was also involved in the rodeo circuits riding saddle broncs and when money was tight, riding bulls. In 1956 Jack won the saddle bronc competitions in Toppenish, Washington, the Nevada State Championship and Calgary Stampede. Jack had multiple winning rides and earned many belt buckles, one which he lost in the desert while running wild horses. It was found and returned to him again 60 years later, one of the many incredible stories in which Jack was the main character of.
In 1959 he married Marilyn Mercedo who helped him run horses and in the outfitting business. They bought a small outfit at Wallowa Lake in Joseph, Oregon. After six years of traveling in the Eagle Caps and acquiring over 260 head of stock for the Eagle Cap Pack Station, they decided to move back to Montana. In 1969 they bought the White Tail Ranch from Tom and Helen Edwards and were back in the "Bob" once again. Marilyn was in an unfortunate car accident resulting in her death on Jan. 17, 1972, leaving Jack and their three children.
In May 1972, Jack married Karen Geary. Karen was a wife, mother and a business partner. The White Tail Ranch became the cornerstone of Jack's family and business. Thousands of guests came from all over the world to enjoy the beauty and magic of the wilderness under their care, guidance and spellbinding stories. Jack and Karen provided many years of adventures to hunters, campers and nature lovers. Each guest as well as the many crew members that worked for Jack took some very special memories with them for the rest of their lives. In 1996 the guest ranch portion of White Tail Ranch was sold and WTR Outfitters moved down the road to the horse pasture and they continued outfitting until 2010, selling the outfitting portion, and Montana Mountain View Ranch was born. Jack outfitted for 55 years in the Eagle Cap and Bob Marshall Wildernesses. He was regarded by many as a true mountain man. Karen's love for nature and adventure helped support Jack through all his endeavors for over 50 years.
At ages 46 and 47 Jack participated in the Alaskan Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race - 1,049 miles from Anchorage to Nome. Jack came in 19th in 1976 and ninth in 1977. Jack had a magical way with animals, especially ones with four legs. Even in his later years he was able to take in strays and turn them into pets.
Jack will be missed by family, friends and hundreds of people that were able to share in his love for the wilds of the backcountry. He will be remembered for his amazing true life stories and ability to connect to animals. Jack's legend will be carried on in the memories of his many friends and the backs of the animals that cut a trail through the wilderness of Montana.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Evertt Lou Hooker and Mary Franklin Hooker, and two sisters, Mary Mace and Betty Cohenour.
Jack is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karen; three children, Bill (Dena) Hooker, Sandra Brown (Leon), Jodie Hooker; grandchildren, Mat (Sadie) Hooker, Andy Johnson (Cheyenne), Krystal Hooker, Rae Brown, Dale Malloy-Hooker; great grandchildren Jacob and Macy Hooker, Bella and Autumn Malloy-Hooker, Erykah and Elie Brown and Jace Keys; brother Brian Hooker, from Priest Lake Idaho; sister Betty Magnus, Hayden, Idaho; and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to:
Ovando Fire Dept. PO Box 29, Ovando, MT 59854
Ovando School, OSCEC, PO Box 176, Ovando, MT 59854
American Legion, Post 9, PO Box 234, Lincoln MT. 59639
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