Gene B. Hopper
March 1, 1922 - March 16, 2009
Obituary
Gene B. Hopper
Gene was born March 1, 1922 in Dover Arkansas. He passed away peacefully on March 16, 2009 in Federal Way, Washington with his family by his side.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise Hopper of 60 years. Gene is survived by his 7 children, Mary Anne Nick Vizzare, Jerry Connie Hopper, Barbara Robby Pietila, Robert Cathy Hopper, Jeff Missy Hopper, Theresa Hopper, and Danny Peggi Hopper, 14 grandchildren Jamie Johanson, Laurie Plenkovich, Jessica Hopper, Katee Denson, Patrick Hopper, Clint Hopper, Molly Hopper, Dominick Vizzare, Mardee Hopper, Darrien Vizzare, Dusty Pietila, John Hopper, Danielle Hopper, and Tyler Pietila, and 1 great-granddaughter Sawyer Voda.
A viewing will be held Sunday, March 22nd, from 2:00 – 5:00pm with funeral services for Gene on Monday, March 23rd, at 11:00AM both at Bonney-Watson Federal Way, 1535 SW Dash Pt. Rd. Federal Way, WA 98023 253 839-7317. Memorials in Gene’s memory may be made to the Browns Point Kids Fishing Derby.
Dad Thanksgiving has come and gone it was really hard not having you here with us this year. X-mas is next and won’t be any easier. Really miss you and mom all the time. It is especially hard during the holidays. Love and kisses
Thanks for all the memories.Please except my condolences.
I am Raymond Hopper’s youngest daughter.I remember a wonderful trip to Washington State to visit Uncle Gene and Aunt Mary. It probably 45 years ago. Your family was so much fun and of course, all of the Oklahoma Hopper clan loved Uncle Gene. Thank you for getting in touch with my oldest sister, Verna Lowry. I am sorry for your loss. We were just wondering about Uncle Gene. Many Blessings to your family-Linda Lou Hopper-Sadler
Grandpa.. i miss yo so much!! its so weird not walking down to your house and having me walk in the door and having you great me with a “Hi Pal” i hate not having you up at our house every friday night. my life is so empty without you here!! but you will always be in my heart forever. you are the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for and i am so lucky to have you. i remember when i would come down and you and me would look out the window out into the water and we would always count cars on the other side.. i remember you would always say to me and mardee, when we were leaving, “see ya all this comin fall in the big rock candy mountain” its so weird not having you at the Hopper dinners. i always think when i come down the stairs at Aunt Maryanne’s you’ll be there.. but your not and its really hard but i know that your happy up with grandma looking down over us.. no more pain or worries. i miss your glowing face everytime you saw me your face would glow up and so would mine.. i love you so much and i miss R.I.P
To the Hopper family: I’m so sorry to hear that your father passed away. He was a good man. When I think of him I remember playing little league baseball with Jerry. Those were the good times that veterans like your father fought for. You are in our thoughts and Prayers. Mark and Effie Carr
To the Hopper family-I felt the need to express by deepest condolences to all of you in the loss of your beloved family monarch, Gene Hopper.I only met Gene once or twice and it was a pleasure to do so. I know his dau Theresa.I work with Theresa & feel as close to her as a sister would be.I also have gotton to know her dau Katee & gr dau little angel Sawyer.If my years of getting to know Theresa,Katee, and Sawyer have any indication of the kind of family Gene leaves behind then it goes beyond words what a cherished,loving, and fulfilling life he had with all of you.I hope with time and prayer your pain eases. My sincerest sympathies to the Hopper family. Sharon Hunter
Dad,
A wise person once told me “if you receive a gift, then you must in turn pass it on in order to continue the cycle.” I think Dad received many gifts during his time here, including fatherhood, family, love, and friends. He in turn passed them on to all of us.
He was a great dad and a good man. He walked the walk. He taught us the difference between right and wrong. One particular time I remember, I was up by the garage throwing rocks and I somehow managed to put out the rear window of the neighbor’s car that was parked in his driveway, while he was working in his yard. Dad asked me what had happened and I told him that “I had no idea, but it couldn’t have been me because I was throwing rocks the other way.” Well…you know that one didn’t end well for me, lesson learned!
In addition, Dad always taught us “if you are going to do a job, do it right.” For instance, he used to bring home a dump truck full of firewood and dump it by the road. Our job was to stack it in the shed. We were supposed to finish before we could go play. As a result, would get our friends to help us so that we could get it done faster. It was a sound plan, until Dad saw the stacks. Needless to say, we had to redo it. Another lesson learned!
We learned from everyday examples about fatherhood, family, love, and friends. He didn’t always understand the deeper meanings of his gifts, but we did as we grew up and started our own families. Dad couldn’t join Mom until he finished passing his gifts along to his children.
The last two years have been a blessing for both the family and I. We were able to help Dad keep track of his wallet, count the cars driving down the hill on the other side of the bay, count semi trucks on way down to the ocean cabin, make sure he had two chocolate chip cookies to have with his morning coffee, and watch the eagles, crows, and seagulls fly by in front of his house. He always seemed to see more than I did. He said it was because I either “looked too slow or they were behind the trees.”
Dad also said that he “never met a stranger and if he did they weren’t strangers for very long” and I believe that. He enjoyed meeting and talking to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Dad is sitting next to Mom and together they are smiling down on us today. It is up to us now to continue their legacy by making sure the cycle of family, love, and friendship are passed on.
remembering all the good times at
norpoint soccer field with your
dad and mom
bruce,bo,sally and susan
God saw he was getting tired,
And a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around him,
And whispered,
“Come with me”
With tearful eyes
We watched him fade away.
although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating
Hard working hands to rest;
God broke our hearts
To prove to us
God only takes the best.
I am thankful to have good memories with a great man. his smile,his laugh,& i will miss the pastries too my thoughts are with you all
I worked with Gene at McKenzie Fuel and enjoyed the stories of his children as they grew, we shared some great laughs over the years. I caught up with him again after our Great-Granddaughter Sawyer was born! What a surprise, we were both Great-Papa to her. We will all miss him and my prayers are with his family
Tom Dunbar Sr.
To the Hopper Family;
Grandpa Hopper will be dearly missed. We enjoyed getting to know him and listening to his wonderful tales and adventures. Keep your memories close and he will never be far away. Katee and Teresa, thank you for giving us the opportunity of knowing “Grandpa”, we loved hearing stories of Sawyer and her Papa.
Bless you all.
Our thoughts are with your wonderful family.”Grandpa” was everything a Grandpa should be…warm, funny,loving,sassy and obviously loved his family and friends very much.. You will all have your own special life-time of memories to keep in your hearts. Love Wes and Lynda Bailey
Dearest Papa, words cannot begin to express the sadness that I feel in my heart. You truly were a beautiful man, the most perfect, tender grandpa anyone could ask for. I am going to miss the way your face lit up every time I saw you and your ability to make me feel like the most important person in the world with just one smile and a hug. Your devotion and love for all of us showed in every single thing you did. I am going to miss Sunday dinners, your chocolate pudding, and your countless stories. I will forever hold them in my heart. I love you now and always papa. May you find peace in heaven with Grandma and continue to soar high above us in the clouds.
Dear Hoppers,
You were all my friends for so many years. My brother, Gary, sent me the sad news about your father’s passing. I congratulate him and your mother on the wonderful life that they provided. We had so much fun at Browns Point and I will remember your mom and dad watching us swim and play on the beach.
My best to all of you.
Lora Leschner
Our memories of Gene will always be cherrished. His smile, hugs, stories and sence of humor will truly be missed.
It was an honor to know Gene Grandpa. I loved hearing his stories about the good ol’ days. He was a true family man. I’m so sorry for your loss.
“Grandpa”…although I only met you at Laurie and Carl’s wedding,I fell in love with you at that moment. I feel I know so much about you through the MANY stories that Laurie shares. Every week she comes to work with a “Grandpa story” that makes us laugh. I wanted to adopt you as my own grandpa! Your family was so lucky to have you in their lives. I pray for comfort and strength for your family and friends. I know you are missed!
Connie, Jerry, your girls, and extended family:
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your beloved dad/grandfather. He and your famiy are such an important part of our community that we will all share in missing him. I cannot ease your grief, but I can and will lift you all up in prayer over the next several weeks. I will also offer a novena of rosary prayers for you and your family over the next nine days. I would love to share your family memories whenever you want to talk. May God hold your hearts close to His own as you do all the things necessary to settle Gene’s estate. You are loved.
Sincerest Sympathy,
Margie Hoffmann and Family
Larry and I are sorry we’re unable to be there for you. Your dad was special to me. He always made Larry and I feel loved and welcomed in his home, as did Aunt Louise. Our prayers are with you and we’ll call you when we return. Love and Hugs, Kayleen and Larry
Grandpa you will be missed in so many ways. I am going to miss the stories you used to tell, the twinkle in your eyes and of course the on-liners you said. You are the sweetest most caring grandpa anyone could ever ask for. You kept everyone on their toes, no one ever knew what you were going to say next. I will never forget spending the night at your house, and being excited to wake up the next morning to have little pigs and silver dollar pancakes with you. I will always cherish our time together, and the memories you gave me. We are so lucky that you were able to watch us grow up, and get married. I know you and grandma will be our guardian angles. I love you so much, and will miss you!
Gene,sorry to hear you have left us.I used to work with you at Mckenzie Fuel in Tacoma years ago.I used to work in the shop there and kept your old Peterbuilt serviced and washed for you.Now you are in heaven with my dad Frank and my brother Wayne.I hope you guys are fishing and hunting and telling old stories of Mckenzie’s .You are going to be missed and i hope God will bless and take care of your family at this time and always.
So sorry for your loss. He was a dear friend.
Grandpa Hopper your legacy will live on in Browns Point always. Every memory I have of growing up be it at the Salmon Bake, or the Fishing Derby, or Halloween with Jamie and Laurie I think of you with your smiling eyes and happy nature. I will always remember your pot of chili when we would look for Christmas trees and you standing there keeping the fire going for us kids. While you will be deeply missed, I am glad that you finally get to be with your sweet Mary. I love you now and always.
Meegan Ruffcorn Langvad
Gene was my uncle, not sure what year it was but my wife and I stopped by to visit on our motorcycles on the way to Seattle, if any of his family want to contact me please send me an email.
Thank you
Mike
Sorry, here is my email,
Mike