Clive James Hooper

Oxford Graduate, Writer, Teacher, Borough Councillor

February 1 1935 — April 12 2017

Clive was always proud of his Okehampton roots.

Though his parents lived at Tor Down, Belstone, he was actually born at No. 1 West View. As this address was connected with the adjacent maternity unit, this may well have been due to the severity of the weather.

Growing up in Northfield Road, when families still took their Sunday dinners to Maddaford Bakery to be cooked, he attended Miss Chay’s private school, where, among other things, he was able to study French. Despite fierce competition, he was able to secure a place at the grammar school and would, in later life, often relate stories about rugby and cross country runs across Dartmoor.

A fellow pupil remembers how, at a young age, he took part in the school’s Eisteddfod event, demonstrating a degree of self-confidence beyond his years. Part of Northmoor House, he stayed on at the sixth form and left, having gained five O levels and three A levels.

Around this time, he joined Okehampton Tennis Club, and along with golf, was to retain an interest in the sport for the remainder of his life. On leaving school, he worked for a short time for a solicitor in Crediton. Travelling daily by train, he was to meet his future wife, Margaret, who was travelling from her home in Bude during her training to become a teacher. The couple married at St Michael’s Parish church in Bude in August 1957.

Studying at Oxford University, he graduated in 1959 and became a teacher thereafter. Clive’s first post was teaching English and geography at Wroughton County Secondary School in Wiltshire. The village, close to the Marlborough Down, was to become his home for the rest of his life.

Whilst in this first post, his debut book, a Western, was published by Robert Hale (now Crowood Press). Two years after the book appeared, he was promoted to a position at Highworth Warnford School. Responsible for running the geography department, he further demonstrated his versatility by also teaching PE, religious education and English. Throughout his teaching career, he demonstrated an especial interest in supporting and encouraging less able pupils.

On retiring from teaching, he put his not inconsiderable energy into local politics. Serving as a Swindon Borough Councillor in the 1990s, he was an active member of the Liberal Democrats party. A charming, generous, convivial man, he was a voracious reader, who frequently entertained others with his seemingly limitless supply of anecdotes, knowledge and jokes. He retained his Christian faith, which began at Okehampton Baptist Church, throughout his life.

Clive, whose wife has survived him, was the father of two children: Kathryn, who lives with her family in Hungerford, Berkshire and Keith, who was awarded a doctorate from Exeter University, and is himself an author. He also has three grandchildren: Nathanael (21), Abigail (17) and Luca (13). At his funeral, a moving eulogy was delivered by John Voaden, his best man and lifelong friend from their childhood Okehampton days.