Colonel Richard "Dick" J. Hooton, Jr., USMC/USA (Ret.), 80, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Dick is the son of the late Ada Holland (Castleberry, AL) and Richard J. Hooton, Sr., of Pensacola, his father being part of the Bonifay-Gonzalez families.

Dick was born and raised in Pensacola, he graduated from PHS in 1959, attended University of Georgia playing football as a walk on, then attended PJC ultimately graduating from UWF, BA in sociology, in 1974. He began his USMC career in 1961, being designated a Naval Aviator in 1963. He served his country for 31 years, including 3 tours in Vietnam.

Personal decorations include the Silver Star, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 52 Air Medals, and 2 Navy Commendation medals.

Dick Hooton had a variety of interests after he retired in 1992. He served for several years on the Pensacola Opera Board of Trustees ending in 2020, and his love for Pavarotti and Puccini was well-known throughout the opera community.

Very active in the camellia community, he was president and board member of the Gulf Coast Camellia Society. His love, however, was the Pensacola Camellia Club where he served on the Board for many years. With hundreds of camellias in his yard on Escambia Bay, he delighted in each and every one, attending camellia shows and showing his flowers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. He was a certified American Camellia Society show judge for many years. Dick won many awards for his beautiful flowers and was known throughout the camellia community for lending a helping hand to novices and judges alike.

Those left to cherish his memory include, his wife of 57 years, Bette (Capasso), of Shelton, CT; a daughter, Anne, of Pensacola; sons, Richard III (Faith) and Joshua (April), of North Carolina; numerous friends and family also survive. Dick Hooton was one tough guy, and he leaves a legacy of strength and courage to guide his family.

Our heartfelt thanks to Covenant Care Hospice and Dr. Hakim and his team at Ascension Sacred Heart, especially PA Holly Crawford.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, 21 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32502, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 9:00 AM, the Very Reverend Joseph Callipare, Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors being accorded by the US Marine Cops at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Covenant Hospice of Pensacola, the Pensacola Camellia Club or Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 12423, Pensacola, FL 32591.

"Among the honors, postings, promotions, and medals that have been awarded me, the one in which I take most pride is to be able to say, 'I am a marine'."