LeRoy Y. Hooks was born on July 2, 1933, in Lyon County, Kentucky. He was born into a family of educators and was influenced by them in choosing his career path. He married Maurelle on June 4, 1954. LeRoy and Maurelle went on to have four children - Laura, Michael, David and Kirk. LeRoy began his teaching career at Eastside Elementary School in Princeton, Kentucky and then moved to Delavan, Illinois. In 1965, the Hooks family moved to Polo, Illinois where LeRoy would serve as principal for the next 21 years. He later served as Superintendent at Montmorency School for two years, followed by Superintendent at Prophetstown, Illinois until his retirement in 2000. LeRoy and Maurelle spent their retirement years traveling and gardening. LeRoy loved family, traveling, fishing, helping those in need, and politics. In 2009, LeRoy was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," an incurable disease that attacks the body's nervous and muscular system. LeRoy passed away at home with family by his side on December 14, 2010 leaving behind his wife, Maurelle, his four children, six grandchildren (Melissa Turner-Ward, Jason Turner, Audrey Hooks, Hannah Hooks, Ashley Sechler-Vaughn and Lindsay Sechler) and one great-granddaughter (Oliva Ward).

More about LeRoy Y. Hooks

Bachelor of Science in Education – Austin Peay State Univ.
Master’s in Education – Austin Peay State Univ.
Ph.D., Education – Canbourne Univ. London

Member Kappa Delta Pi

Community Service: Rotary Club, Church Youth School teacher, Lions Club, Red Cross Safety Director and First Aid Instructor, J.C.’s Most Valuable Member Award, Chief of Sheriff’s Auxiliary Police

Hobbies: construction, camping, reading, motorcycling, locksmith work, security consulting, and anything related to tools and building things

Work History

1955-1958 - Clarksville City School (teacher/Assistant Junior High Principal), Clarksville, TN
1958-1963 - Eastside Elementary School (Principal), Princeton, KY
1963-1965 - Delavan High School (Principal), Delavan, IL
1965-1985 - Polo Community High School (Principal), Polo, IL
1985-1987 - Montmorency School (Superintendent), Rock Falls, IL
1987-2000 - Prophetstown Community Unit School Dist. (Superintendent), Prophetstown, IL

Learn more about ALS here.