John Fooks

TEXARKANA, ARK. – Former Texarkana Gazette writer John Fooks, 65, died Sept. 20. 
As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he had a passion for telling the stories of other veterans. He was also active with local veterans groups and participated in memorial activities.
Fooks was a feature writer and columnist at the Texarkana Gazette for 27 years. Many of his friends and fellow veterans credited him with shining light on veterans issues that were unknown to many people.
Fooks was a Mason, a Vietnam veteran and a past district governor of Toastmasters International.
He was known for his columns Days Gone By, interviews with senior citizens about their lives, and Here’s Looking At You, profiles about interesting people in all walks of life.
In 1989, Fooks started a memoir-writing seminar to help others preserve their personal stories.
Texarkana Gazette editor Les Minor and other colleagues remembered him as a talented writer and caring person who often made lifelong friendships with the subjects of his stories.
He is survived by his wife, Roberta Fooks, a brother and two nieces. Funeral service was held Sept. 24 at First Lutheran Church in Texarkana.