Roy Neil “HOPPY” Hopwood, February 3, 1931 – September 20, 2018 Roy Neil Hopwood of Los Alamos passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on the morning of September 20, 2018 following a 10-month battle with cancer. He was 87 years old. Roy was born in Fayette, Alabama and spent his childhood in Amory, Mississippi and Florence, Alabama. He graduated high school in 1949 and moved to Los Alamos at age 18, living with his sister and brother-in-law in Los Alamos while working on his electrical apprenticeship. In 1951, Roy was drafted into the Army’s First Armored Division, trained at Fort Hood, and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He returned to Los Alamos in 1953 and began working for the Zia Company. Roy worked for Zia and its successors for 56 years until his retirement as an Electrical Safety Officer in 2008. He met Sharon Wilcox, the lovely Los Alamos school teacher who would become his beloved wife, in 1965. They were married from 1967 until the time of her death in 1989. His devotion to her continued throughout his life. Roy was an active volunteer, giving to his community and to those in need. He ran a concession stand for the early Los Alamos Bombers Baseball Club, and helped with collection for the JFK Gate at the entrance to Sullivan Field. He served two terms on the County Personnel Board, the second term as chairman and also served on the golf course board of directors. He volunteered electrical expertise when the first chair lift was installed at Pajarito Mountain. He also volunteered at Casa Mesita Thrift Shop for two decades and ran AA meetings at the Los Alamos Police Department Detention Center for more than 10 years. Perhaps the volunteer work he was most passionate about was that he did for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire where no task was too large or too small for Roy in honoring the courage and sacrifices of America’s veterans. Roy loved the northern New Mexico landscape and its many outdoor activities, and he greatly appreciated the accepting people he met and worked with in Los Alamos. He called Los Alamos “utopia” and once he moved to Los Alamos, it was always home. Of all the people and activities Roy loved, Roy especially delighted in spending time with his grandchildren, Michael and Elaine (“Lainey”), and always made sure to tuck gummy worm candy treats in his shirt pocket for them to find after a happy exchange of hugs. Their joy was his joy. Roy’s warm smile, positive outlook, and heartfelt generosity will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Hopwood; his father, Otis Hopwood; his mother, Mamie Hopwood; his sisters Ruby Ware, Leta Hargraves, and Corina Graef; his brother, Raymond Hopwood; his father-in-law, Leroy Wilcox; his mother-in-law, Blanche Wilcox; and his brother-in-law, Lee Wilcox. He is survived by his son, Neal Hopwood of Portland, Oregon; his son, David Hopwood and wife, Lara, of Concord, California; his son, Michael Hopwood, and cherished grandchildren, Michael Jr. and Elaine, of White Rock, New Mexico; his brother, Bill Hopwood of Silver City, New Mexico; his sister-in-law, Karen McFaul and husband, James, of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania; his sister-in-law, Maureen Kraus and husband, Bill, of Ft. Meyers, Florida; his sister-in-law, Suzanne Gustafson and husband, James, of East Amherst, New York; his sister-in-law, Marianne Bestine and husband, David, of Buffalo, New York; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 18th at 11:00 AM at the White Rock Baptist Church, 80 State Road 4, White Rock, NM 87547. Interment of ashes at Guaje Pines Cemetery will take place in a private ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David Westphall Veterans Foundation at www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org. The family would like to thank Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, Los Alamos Medical Center, Professional Case Management, and Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care doctors, nurses, caregivers and staff, and the staff at BeeHive Homes of White Rock for caring for Roy so well.
|
About |
|---|---|
| Name | Roy Hopwood |
| Date of Birth | February 3rd, 1931 |
| Date of Death | September 20th, 2018 |
|
Memorial |
|
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Los Alamos | |
| Address |
1627 A Central Avenue Los Alamos NM 87544 United States |
|
Error
Sign in to Keeper:
Send as Guest:
published a tribute .
My deepest condolences for your loss and mine of my friend trouble he will be greatly missed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
My sincere condolences to Roy Hopwood’s family. My late wife Jean and I were acquainted with these wonderful people, Roy and Sharon. Both were devoted to family, friends, friends, and neighbors. Roy served others until just lately. I always remember him and Sharon every time I see the Brazos cliffs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Neal, words fail to express the pain in our hearts at the loss of Roy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, David, and Michael and all families and friends that will miss him, as we do. Unfortunately, we cannot attend in person but know we are there with you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Neal
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. He was always wonderful to me even after I went to work at the Lab. We would run in to each other at Smiths and catch up about each other and you. He will be missed by so many people. My husband and I will be on vacation during his service. May he rest in peace.
Gail Ainsworth McFarlane
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Neal
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. He was always wonderful to me even after I went on to work at the Lab. I would run in to him at Smith's grocery shopping. We would always stop and chat. We would always catch up on you and your brothers. My husband and I are going on vacation and will not be here on October 18th.
Gail Ainsworth McFarlane
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Roy: It was my pleasure in knowing you for all these years. My father, who also worked for Zia during the time you did, always spoke highly of you. Your special love and devotion to Sharon has always been a highlight for me to recall as it was genuine love that inspired many of those who knew you both. I will miss you Amigo. Dimas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
It was an honor to help care for Mr. Hopwood and a pleasure to meet such a fine and loving family. My sincere condolences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
We send our very heartfelt condolences to the Hopwood family. Roy was a true gentleman and he is very much missed. Our prayers are with you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
Roy as been in my life since 1949, when he dated my best friend, Ann, from my senior Los Alamos High class. We have been good friends and he has been a godsend when we were doing class reunions for the first 8-10 years the school operated. He was always happy, helpful, and had wonderful suggestions. He knew The Hill more than I as I haven't lived there since 1953. He helped me line up the places for the dinners and the parks for the picnics. He always had a big smile for me and was Johnny on the Spot for anything we needed, including last minute surprises. I loved Roy for his kind friendship all these many years. He was a wonderful man! Condolences to his boys and family. He will be missed greatly in many places.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
I feel lucky to have know Roy. Always friendly and smiling with a kind word every time we met. RIP friend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
My heartfelt condolence to the Hopwood family.....Roy was always a very nice to me....May he rest in peace.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
What a wonderful man your dad was, Neil, David, and Mike! I am sorry to hear of his passing but hope he is reunited with the love of his life, your beautiful mom! Love to you! Steve and Roberta Cocking
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
David, Mike & Neal,
You were so lucky to have such wonderful parents! We were so blessed to have spent such cherished and memorable hours with Roy & Sharon. Our lives will not be the same without Roy but we are so happy he is reunited with our sister Sharon!
Thank you for the time I had to say goodbye to our amazing brother-in-law. You are in our prayers and know we are here for you if you need us!
Love you!
Bill & Reenie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
I remember when you moved to Los Alamos...You were so handsome and nice we all wanted to be your friend. I was a lucky one to have been your friend for so many years. I will miss your emails and pictures of the Los Alamos I loved so much! You were so thoughtful to everyone you knew, and much loved. I will miss you my dear friend... Vonne Ceil Eldridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
We are sorry to hear of Roy’s passing. We have been friends for over 40 years. He will be missed.
Danny and Vici
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
I will miss seeing you walking around town and your smiling face, May your family find comfort in knowing you had a good heart. RIP Roy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
published a tribute .
On behalf of the staff of the Rivera Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, we extend our prayers and deepest condolences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Family has Entrusted their Care to:
|
published a comment .
Read More