More detail on this person: Carbon Monoxide
poisoning while sleeping in human quarters of a
horse trailer. He was showing cutting horses at
the Houston, TX Livestock Show.
It is my sad duty to report the passing of one of
our fellow VHPA members in a bizarre accident.
Rod Hooks had served two tours in Vietnam as an
Army Aviator. In recent years he was the pilot
for KPRC Television, channel 2 where he was a
visible presence, not only to the aviation
community, but to the viewing audience as well.
As one of his competitors at KTRK Channel 13, I
held the greatest respect for Rod for his service
to the nation and for his piloting abilities.
Rod died at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
where he was showing some of his beloved cutting
horses. For the first time Rod had made the
finals of the event and was anxious for the chance
to win a top prize. He never got the chance.
As is the custom with many who come to Houston
to show their animals, Rod was sleeping in the
parking lot in a compartment of the horse trailer
designed for humans. It was a cold night and Rod
apparently was running a generator for heating.
By all accounts, that generator was venting into
the sleeping compartment and Rod was overcome
with carbon monoxide fumes as he slept. A quiet
end for a one time warrior who was proud to have
done his duty.
I know you join me in extending sympathies to
Rod's family and his extended family at KPRC
Television where he was held in high regard as a
pilot and a man.
From: Bob Boudreaux (Beaudreault, VHPA
Member, class 69-18,155th AHC 1969-70)
Former 128th AHC pilot and Gunslinger, Rod
Hooks, was found dead in his horse trailer the
morning of 18 Feb 01 at a parking lot at the
Houston Rodeo and
Livestock show. He had advanced to the cutting
horse finals and was a long time competitor in
this event. He apparently died of carbon monoxide
poisoning as reported in the press. Known as
"Captain Rod" to Houston TV viewers, he was a
long time helicopter pilot for KPRC television in
Houston.
Rod was a VHPA member and graduated with class
66-9. He served with the 128th in 1966 and 1967.
He served a second tour with ACT/11 ACR in 69
and 70. The obituary from the Houston Chronicle
follows:
Tue. Feb. 20, 2001, RODNEY JAMES HOOKS,
survived by Wife, Leslie Berryhill Hooks. He
leaves Daughter, Christine Leigh Bailey of Blanco,
TX; Son, Bradley James Hooks of Friendswood, TX;
Stepchildren, Kenneth Shane Berryhill, Jacob Lee
Berryhill of Clearlake, TX; Grandchildren, Travis
and Evan Bailey of Blanco, TX; his Grandchild
expected in July; Brother, Mike Hooks of Maui,
Hawaii; Sister, Vonnie Grether of Houston, TX; and
his first Wife Donna Leigh Taylor of
Fischer, TX. Mr. Hooks was born in Perth,
Australia March 10, 1945. He served for 20 years
in the United States Army, retiring in 1984. He
graduated from
flight school at Fort Wolters, and served with
honor for two tours in Vietnam as a highly
decorated combat aviator. He raised registered
Texas Longhorns
and performance horses. He was the Chopper2
Pilot for NBC affiliate KPRC Channel 2 in Houston,
Texas for over ten years. Visitation will be held
at
Forest Park East Funeral Home on Wednesday
February 21. 2001 from 5-8 p.m. Chapel services
will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home
Thursday,
February 22, 2001 at 3 pm. A private family
interment will follow at a later date. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to The Houston
Livestock Sho w & Rodeo in memory of Rod Hooks,
P. O. Box 20070, Houston, TX 77225, or call (713)
791-9000 and ask for the Education Department.
From: Jay Riseden Gunslinger 35 128th AHC, Phu
Loi 67-68
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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