James VanHook

James Edward VanHook was born on December 13, 1944 and would leave his mark on this world for generations to come. 

He enjoyed nature, his farm and his family.  He loved horses, tractors, campers and traveling to Gatlinburg, Myrtle Beach or just touring the countryside with family and friends and building a life with his soul mate of 58 years, Christa Maelzer VanHook. 

He was an entrepreneur, a salesman and enjoyed peddling his wares across most of the state of Kentucky. He was also a Special Deputy for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Woodstrong Security for twelve years after his retirement from the Kentucky Lottery. From lottery tickets to S&H Green-stamps, from prime building lots to prisoner transports and security details and everything in between he worked at making a living that would support and build his family. 

Whether he worked for just pennies a day or making more money than he ever thought possible, his positive outlook on life and charismatic personality never faltered. 

James was a gentle giant with a ready wit, a compassionate heart and an agreeable personality. He was generous, funny and faithful to his friends and family. He could always come up with an answer to any problem but never sought to impose his will on others. 

He loved his brothers, sister and parents tremendously. He loved his daughters dearly, and without end. He cherished all of his grandchildren and bragged about them to anyone that would listen. However, more than all this, he loved his wife. Throughout their marriage and even until the end he was always looking for “Mommy”.   

We will cherish the love and memories of our beloved Dad and he will live on in our hearts forever. We will grieve his loss and cherish his memory and until we meet again, we will look to Heaven and give praise and rejoice in a life well lived by a man well loved. 

He is survived by his devoted wife Christa Maelzer VanHook of Somerset, three daughters: Jeannie (Todd) Wood of Somerset, Lisa (Martin) Bryant of Manchester, TN and Carla (Chris) Jones of Waddy, Ky; ten grandchildren: Christina (Stephen) Cain, Billy (Amanda) Holder, Jon Wood, Jenna Wood, JT Coffey, Taylor (Ralph) Letner, Sheyann (Robbie) Miller, Erika Shouse, Dylan (Cheyenne) Jones and Logan (Hannah) Jones, 13 great grandchildren: Kelbi, Kolten and Kasin Cain, Wyatt and Abigail Holder, Sophia, Channing, Liam and Blakely Letner, Carson, Tyson and Mason Miller, Elaina Jones as well as his brother Bob (Fonda) VanHook and his sister Shelby Jean (Price-Williams) as well as several nieces, nephews and other family members.

Along with his parents, Marshall and Daisy VanHook, he was preceded in death by one brother, Bill VanHook. 

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Lake Cumberland Funeral Home beginning at 10:00 am until 1:00 pm at 1046 West Hwy 80, Somerset, KY  42503.

His funeral service will follow on Wednesday at 1:00 pm in the Chapel of Lake Cumberland Funeral Home with Brother Johnny Dunbar officiating. Interment will be at Lakeside Memorial Gardens.  Pallbearers will be Billy Holder, Jon Wood, Stephen Cain, JT Coffey, Dylan Jones, Logan Jones, Robbie Miller and Ralph Letner.