Earl Richard “Dick” Hopkins age 83 of Edina, MO passed away, Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Samaritan Hospital in Macon, MO.
Born on May 24, 1938 in Maryville, Nodaway County, MO he was a son of Earl Rudolph “Hootie” and Geneva Marie Bartlett Hopkins.
In October of 1958, he was united in marriage to Mary Rose Miller who preceded him in death on September 22, 1962. To this union a daughter was born, Phyllis Ann Hopkins.
In March of 1963, he was married to Sharon Walker and to this union two sons were born, James and Ronald Hopkins.
On September 23, 1972, in Savanah, MO he was united in marriage to Marilyn Shahan for 49 years. He became the proud step-father of Staci and Kevin Sykes.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn Hopkins of Edina, MO; five children, James Hopkins and fiancé, Lana Ledford of Milan, MO, Ronald Hopkins and Shari also of Milan, MO, Phyllis Rudd and Darrell of Edina, MO, Staci Robertson and Pete of Memphis, MO, Kevin Sykes and Julie of LaPlata, MO; two brothers, Jim Hopkins of Edina, MO and Gailand Hopkins of Altus, OK; two sisters, Doris Songer of Sidney, IA and Janice Saitta of Omaha, NE, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Jim Reynolds of Moberly, MO; grandchildren, Nick and Olivia Hopkins, Jennifer and Rob Romeiser, Jon Hopkins and Kristi King, Jewel Hopkins, Tonya Truitt, Holly and Junior Torres, Chloe and James Mayhew, Sidney and Tanner Smith, Zane Sykes and Nikki Yowell, Laci and Cody Holt, Tiffany Ledford, Jordan Ledford, Jessica, Joe and Justin Rudd; thirteen great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Geneva Hopkins, brother Larry (Evelyn) Hopkins, two sisters Sara Smith and Margaret (Darrell) Vannaken, his wife Mary Rose (Miller) Hopkins, daughter-in-law Linda Hopkins, sister-in-law Gwen Hopkins and brother-in-law Neil Songer. Also preceded by his father and mother-in-law Charles and Margie Shahan and Raymond and Edna Miller and two nieces and one nephew.
Richard graduated from Horace Mann High School in Maryville, MO. He served his country in the United States Army and the Army Reserves. He was employed at Bob Gragg Plumbing and Heating until it closed. He then went into business for himself, Hopkins Plumbing and Heating until this retirement. He also worked at Edina Farm & Home for a short time and presently Dick was employed at Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina.
Dick was a fifty-year member of Greensburg Lodge #414 A.F. & A.M., member of the Moila Shrine Temple, member of the Masonic Buck-A-Roos group, Commander of the Knox County Rescue Squad for many years, he served 18 years on the Edina City Council and was a board member of the Knox County Ambulance District.
Hunting, fishing, Nascar, stock cars, and being a player of the “Sow Bellies” softball team were his hobbies. Dick greatly loved being with his grandkids, family, friends, and his feline bestie, “Buddy”. Dick enjoyed life, wherever he was and knew many people. He will be missed by many.
Visitation will be held at the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home Monday, November 1, 2021, from 12 noon till 2 p.m. Masonic Rites will be held at 2 p.m. followed by a memorial service. Burial with full Military Honors will be in Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville, MO.
Honorary bearers will be Bill Baker, Brian Banks, Jim Gibbons, Bob Whaley, Tom bunker, Danny Madsen and the Buck-A-Roos.
Memorials are suggested to Knox County Rescue Squad or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.