WILMINGTON — Gunnery Sergeant Francis Marion Hooper Jr., 98, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on September 10, 2026. He was born August 17, 1928, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, to the late Francis Marion Hooper Sr. and Margie Lee McLauchlin Hooper, and was raised in Brooklyn, New York.
A graduate of Boys High School in Brooklyn, Mr. Hooper served approximately 24 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant in 1971. An Original Montford Point Marine, he was part of the historic group of African American Marines who helped break racial barriers in the Marine Corps. His service was later recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal, and he was inducted into the National Montford Point Marine Association Hall of Fame.
Following his military retirement, he worked for the United States Postal Service in Wilmington until retiring in 1990.
Mr. Hooper was a longtime member and Deacon of Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church and was deeply involved in Prince Hall Freemasonry and the Montford Point Marine Association.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Julia B. Hooper; son, Calvin M. Hooper Sr. (Valerie); five grandchildren; Calvin II (Stefanie), Jeremy (Shavaughn), Natasha, Daisha, and Vincent; five great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.
Viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 10:00 am at Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church located at 714 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, with internment at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, North Carolina at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the Montford Point Marine Museum in honor of Gunnery Sergeant Francis Marion Hooper Jr., helping preserve the history and legacy of the Original Montford Point Marines for future generations.
