Famed Photojournalist Uncle of Activist De Bouse Deceased at 99
San Bernardino, CA-Henry L. Hooks, or the "Godfather of Photography" in the Inland Empire (IE), CA lived a productive life. Born December 23, 2021, the Shreveport, LA fell in love with photography after winning his first camera through a contest entry from the back of a toothpaste tube in a Shreveport drugstore. Hooks has an award-winning photo repertoire-including but not limited to-shots of at least five presidents, congressmen, and celebrities-a most famed of which is that of the Late Tupac Shakur.
He also was asked to be the photographer for all the Republican National Committee events in the San Bernadino and surrounding area.
After serving in the U.S. Airforce as a Projectionist and Staff Lecturer, working as a federal employee with top secret clearance for Norton AFB as a Quality Control Inspector, and the Department of Defense and NASA as Inspector for Missile Systems, Hooks retired from the military in 1979. Thereafter, he was able to pursue his political passions, and placed in charge of the Republican Unit in San Bernardino during the Reagan era. There, Hooks helped secure the votes needed for the election of Governor and eventual President Reagan. His friends and associates spanned from congressmen to presidents to business leaders and more. He funded the property purchase at 8th & L street (San Bernardino) for eventual erection of Masonic Lodge and was named Worshipful Master Prince Hall #77 in 1953.
Hooks' natural ingenuity for photography inspired generations.
A disabled veteran himself, Henry L. Hooks is the uncle of Global Equality Advocate and Activist, and Disabled Veterans Day founder, Greshun De Bouse. He served on the board of the Boys and Girl's Club, an organization where De Bouse has spoken/advocated for anti-bullying. He is a founding member of American Legion Post #710, the general organization with which De Bouse has made a part of Disabled Veteran's Day events. Hooks lived from 1921 to 2021, just under a month shy of reaching his 100th birthday.
