James Benjamin Van Hook

JAMES BENJAMIN ("JIM") VAN HOOK, 78, of Little Rock, Ark., father, grandfather and friend, passed away on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, in his home. He was born to Benjamin Madison ("Ben") and Jewell Louise (nee Rogers) Van Hook in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Nov. 9, 1934. Jim graduated from Tulsa University with a degree in petroleum marketing. Following college, Jim served his country in the United States Army as a cryptographer. Jim's Memorial Day passing was symbolic because as a veteran he was a fierce patriot, believed in the defense of freedom and was an ardent supporter of constitutional rights. He was an active and proud member of the NRA and delighted in target practice with his son and grandson. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Jim spent seven years as the Arkansas district representative for Phillips Petroleum. After marrying Kathy Ann Hancock in Gibson County, Tenn. in 1964, he formed JB Van Hook Realty, a commercial, industrial and investment real estate firm. He later moved his family to Little Rock and while Jim and Kathy did not remain married, they always remained friends and were never far apart, living on the same street just a few houses from each other for almost 20 years. His friends and neighbors knew Jim as a man of incredible intellect, keenly interested in learning new things, great wit (he was always the best joke-teller at any function), man of his word, impeccably organized, generous, thoughtful, a gentleman and a devoted father who raised a son while also caring for his ailing mother. Jim loved his dogs Sammie and Sugarbabe and could often be found with a dog in his lap when his beloved companions were still alive. Jim was predeceased by his parents and leaves behind his only son, John Mark (Mark) Van Hook of Little Rock, grandson Clark Van Hook, also of Little Rock and a sister Carol Reese, of Houston, Texas. His family was comforted on the night of his death as they watched his spirit soar as he made his way to heaven on the wings of a visiting hawk. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham in Little Rock. The family will lay Jim's ashes to rest in a private ceremony at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery and with his parents in Springfield, Missouri. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com