LEXINGTON – Richard Tyler Hook, the son of Richard and Kristin (Wingard) Hook, passed away on January 20, 2021. Tyler was born and raised in Lexington, South Carolina and leaves a farflung community of family and friends who will remember his rare talent to be both the “life of the party” as well as one of the most thoughtful and considerate people you could find.

Upon graduating from Lexington High School, Tyler attended Newberry College, where he was a two-term President of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Order. A well-loved figure on the campus, Tyler was also voted Kappa Delta sorority’s “Beau,” and he fondly recalled his years at Newberry College as some of the best years in his life. He graduated from Newberry College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Digital Marketing.

After graduation, Tyler served as a staffer for various campaigns, including campaign staffer for the Republican Party of Virginia, the campaign to re-elect S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, and the campaign manager of the Christian Stegmaier S.C. Senate campaign. Tyler then served former Virginia House Delegate Ben Cline’s successful congressional bid for the 6th Congressional District of Virginia, where he was instrumental in leading the campaign to a first term congressional victory. He went on to work on the staff of U.S. Representative Ben Cline of Virginia in Washington D.C. A budding politico, Tyler graduated from The George Washington University in 2020 with a Master of Arts in Media and Strategic Communication.

When he was not out on the campaign trail or roaming the halls of the Capitol, one could find Tyler on the golf course, or with his family at Williams-Brice Stadium cheering on the Gamecocks. From a young age, Tyler’s family encouraged his natural curiosity through travel. Tyler’s family trips took him all over the country and to many sites, including many museums up and down the east coast and Europe. He had a love of music. When he was six-years old, he experienced his first concert with his parents attending a Madonna concert in Boston. After his high-school graduation, Tyler traveled throughout Europe with his aunt, Gwyn Wingard, where he saw the Rolling Stones in concert and fell in love with Scotland and all things Scottish. His Aunt Gwyn has fond memories of Tyler charming the ladies on his tour across Great Britain. However far his travels and work took him, Tyler remained incredibly close to his family, from whom he learned how to make sweet tea and pork chops the “right way” like a true Southerner.

Tyler’s family and friends recall an uncommonly generous and kind young man whose gift of wit charmed all who knew him. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Kristin Hook; grandmother, Margie Hook; aunt, Gwyn Wingard; aunt, Myra (Karl) Kinard; uncle, Norman (Virginia) Hook; cousins, Ashley Chandler and Tradd Hook.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Phillip Kirton Wingard, Sr., Nancy Carroll Fox, Bethea Hook; uncle, Phillip “Kirt” Kirton Wingard, Jr.; great-grandmothers, Gladys Kirton Wingard, Lillie Virginia Fox, and grandfather, Sam Fox.

A service in celebration of Tyler’s life was held Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church followed by interment in the church cemetery. Social distancing protocols will be observed and masks are required at both the service and graveside. The service and interment may be viewed via livestreaming on Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel’s Facebook page.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephen’s Church and Newberry College.

The family wishes to thank all those who have offered their expressions of love, condolences, and prayers.

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