Leldon M. Hooten

Leldon M. Hooten, of Fultondale, AL died peacefully on December 8, 2015. He was 94 years old. Leldon is survived by his 3 children; Vicki Hooten Jernigan (Jim), Kenny L. Hooten (Allison), Chris A. Hooten (Susan), his four grandchildren; Craig Jernigan, Zachary Hooten, Lauren Hooten and Mia Hooten, his two great-grandchildren; Tristen Jernigan and Phala Hooten, and his sister; Betty Leeth Haynes. He is preceded in death by his wife; Flora Lett Hooten; his grandson, Kenneth L. Hooten II; his parents, Marvin L. Hooten and Henrietta Shaw Hooten; his siblings; Lorene Meyer, Isola Taglier, Howard Hooten, William Hooten, and Jean Stisher, as well as, many nieces and nephews. Leldon was born March 26, 1921 in Tarrant, AL. It was here that he would develop into a star athlete at Jefferson County High School. For 4 consecutive years he quarterbacked the Wildcats, leading his team to a County Championship his senior year. Leldon was an outstanding athlete and in addition to football also lettered in baseball and tennis. A few years later he would go on to win the Maryland State Table Tennis Championship. After high school, Leldon joined the Army and achieved the rank of sergeant, serving in the Caribbean as he helped defend the Panama Canal during World War II. It was during this time that he was reacquainted with a high school classmate, Flora Belle Lett. Shortly afterwards they married and Flora Belle would become the love of his life. When the war was over, the couple returned to Birmingham and for a brief period of time Leldon worked as an electrician at TCI before he and Flora eventually purchased Fulton Springs Restaurant and Tourist Court in Fultondale. Together, they would become fixtures in the community, as they successfully operated the restaurant for over 30 years. In addition to the many successful business he owned and operated, some of Leldon’s other achievements were serving on the Jefferson County Housing Commission, commanding his local VFW and serving on the Fultondale Commercial Development Board. Leldon or Hoot or Hootie, as he would affectionately become known, continued his love for sports all his life. He played softball, table tennis and even continued to roller skate, well past the prime of his life. He was an avid University of Alabama and Atlanta Braves fan and was even fortunate enough to witness the first game Bear Bryant coached at Maryland, as well as, his 315th victory at Alabama. He continued to watch and attend games to the very end of his life. In his later years, after the loss of Flora Belle, his world became centered around his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and he found great joy from the time they spent together. Hootie was loved and respected by all who knew him and his unique personality and ever entertaining stories will be greatly missed. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The New Gardendale Funeral Home. His funeral will be held the following morning, December 11, at 11:00 AM, also at The New Gardendale Funeral Home. Reverend Michael Deering will officiate the ceremony.

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Leldon M. Hooten

March 26, 1921 - December 8, 2015