Obituary

Roy F. Hopper, 94, a resident of Albuquerque NM, passed from this life on September 3, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mellie Hopper, by all of his six siblings, and by his wife of 55 years, Barbara (Bobbie) Hopper. Roy is survived by his daughter, Gayle Hopper, and by a number of nieces and nephews.

Roy was born in Harrison AR on December 5, 1924. He was one of seven children raised by a loving and devoted mother following his father’s untimely death when he was only 5 years old. Roy was fortunate to be able to attend the School of the Ozarks, but was drafted into the US Army after his junior year of high school. He was assigned to L Company, 357th Infantry, 90th Division. Part of the D-Day invasion, his unit landed on Utah Beach on D+6. Almost immediately, they were engaged in heavy combat with German forces. Roy’s unit would be overwhelmed by the enemy and he was captured and became a German POW. After more than 9 months of depravation and brutal treatment in a German labor camp, Roy managed to escape and be repatriated.

Following the war, Roy met and married his wife, Barbara. They settled in Albuquerque in the early 1950’s and Roy became a building contractor owning and operating his own construction company – Roy F. Hopper Construction Company. Through the years, he built numerous residential and commercial construction projects around Albuquerque and in the surrounding area.

Though he suffered with Multiple Sclerosis all of his adult life, including during his time in the Army, Roy led a very active and productive life. Even after the MS had rendered his legs entirely useless, he continued to persevere, using a motorized scooter, driving his own specially equipped van and living independently until just a few days prior to his death.

Roy was active in several veteran’s organizations, including the 90th Division Association, the VFW, the American Legion, and the VA POW/MIA organization. His military awards included the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge, along with the French Jubilee Medal of Liberty. Roy was also awarded his high school diploma by the School of the Ozarks (now College of the Ozarks). He has also received other honors and recognition as an alumni of the college, including the Alumni Patriotic Award presented to him by General Colin Powell in a ceremony at the college in October of 2000. The college has also named the Roy F. Hopper Patriots Plaza in his honor. Former First Lady Laura Bush spoke at the November 2012 dedication ceremony for the plaza.

While his family and all of these tributes and recognition played an important role in Roy’s life, his faith was the most important and influential part of his life. Roy was a lifelong Christian. He was a diligent student of the Bible and a member of the Northeast Church of Christ where he was very faithful in his involvement and regular in his attendance.

Roy Hopper was a very special man. He was much loved by all who knew him. He was very well respected for his honesty and integrity as a business owner in the community. He was also highly regarded for his honorable service to our Nation. He will certainly be missed by his family, by his associates in the local veteran’s community, and most certainly by his church family.

Services will be conducted Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas with burial following at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Roy’s honor either to College of the Ozarks, Lookout Point, MO 65726, or to the Northeast Church of Christ, PO Box 94867, Albuquerque, NM 87199.