Obituary for Verlin Ray Hopkins
Verlin Ray Hopkins of Swink, Colorado entered into rest February 6, 2018 at Park View Medical Center in Pueblo Colorado. He was 81 years of age.
He was born to Bessie and Ray Hopkins June 18, 1936 in Fowler Colorado. He graduated from Fowler High School in 1954. He volunteered for military duty in 1955. He was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 16th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion stationed near Boston, MA. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1961. He tried his hand at farming in Fowler, but after one tough year decided to work for the Natural Resource Conservation Service initially as an engineering technician. Through the years he worked his way into District Conservationist serving in the Cortez, Cheyenne Wells, Byers, and Springfield conservation districts within Colorado. He retired after 39 years of service with the NRCS in 1999. Along the way he attended and graduated from Colorado State University earning a B.S. Degree in Agronomy. His after work career included working as an agricultural consultant for an agri-tec business on various projects throughout the Arkansas Valley region.
Verlin’s community service included volunteer fireman in Las Animas, Colorado, and in later years he served on the City Councils of both Springfield and Swink, Colorado. He was also an active member of the Springfield Loins Club, Ports to Plains Transportation Committee, the Baca County Economic Development Committee and the Southeastern Colorado Enterprise Development – Region 6 Committee. In addition, Verlin made an off-off-off Broadway appearance in the Baca Little Theatre production of “The Mousetrap”; a scary who dunnit that was a big hit! He enjoyed rave reviews in his role as a retired Major in Springfield’s ‘Plainsman Herald’.
Verlin was a member of the Pitkin Avenue Baptist Church in Fowler, Colorado.
Verlin worked as a consultant and Swink city councilman as long as his health permitted, finally resigning from both commitments at the age of 80.
Verlin enjoyed woodworking, photography, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He especially enjoyed spending time with family.
Verlin is survived by his loving wife Bonnie Hopkins of Swink, Colorado, son Kevin(Sharon) Hopkins of Tucson, Arizona, daughters Tami Stephenson of Swink, Colorado, Penni (Brent) Morris of Springfield, Colorado, grand-daughters Chandra (Sam) Herrin, Audrey Stephenson, Hayley Stephenson, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, 6 siblings and son-in-law Clayton Stephenson.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association. A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M, Monday, February 12, 2018 at the La Junta First Church of the Nazarene. Terry Mills will be officiating.
Online condolences and shared memories can be made at johnsonromero.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the loving care of Johnson-Romero Family Funeral Home.
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He was born to Bessie and Ray Hopkins June 18, 1936 in Fowler Colorado. He graduated from Fowler High School in 1954. He volunteered for military duty in 1955. He was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 16th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion stationed near Boston, MA. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1961. He tried his hand at farming in Fowler, but after one tough year decided to work for the Natural Resource Conservation Service initially as an engineering technician. Through the years he worked his way into District Conservationist serving in the Cortez, Cheyenne Wells, Byers, and Springfield conservation districts within Colorado. He retired after 39 years of service with the NRCS in 1999. Along the way he attended and graduated from Colorado State University earning a B.S. Degree in Agronomy. His after work career included working as an agricultural consultant for an agri-tec business on various projects throughout the Arkansas Valley region.
Verlin’s community service included volunteer fireman in Las Animas, Colorado, and in later years he served on the City Councils of both Springfield and Swink, Colorado. He was also an active member of the Springfield Loins Club, Ports to Plains Transportation Committee, the Baca County Economic Development Committee and the Southeastern Colorado Enterprise Development – Region 6 Committee. In addition, Verlin made an off-off-off Broadway appearance in the Baca Little Theatre production of “The Mousetrap”; a scary who dunnit that was a big hit! He enjoyed rave reviews in his role as a retired Major in Springfield’s ‘Plainsman Herald’.
Verlin was a member of the Pitkin Avenue Baptist Church in Fowler, Colorado.
Verlin worked as a consultant and Swink city councilman as long as his health permitted, finally resigning from both commitments at the age of 80.
Verlin enjoyed woodworking, photography, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He especially enjoyed spending time with family.
Verlin is survived by his loving wife Bonnie Hopkins of Swink, Colorado, son Kevin(Sharon) Hopkins of Tucson, Arizona, daughters Tami Stephenson of Swink, Colorado, Penni (Brent) Morris of Springfield, Colorado, grand-daughters Chandra (Sam) Herrin, Audrey Stephenson, Hayley Stephenson, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, 6 siblings and son-in-law Clayton Stephenson.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association. A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M, Monday, February 12, 2018 at the La Junta First Church of the Nazarene. Terry Mills will be officiating.
Online condolences and shared memories can be made at johnsonromero.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the loving care of Johnson-Romero Family Funeral Home.
To plant a tree in memory of Verlin Ray Hopkins, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
Monday
12
Feb
10:30 AM
First Church of the Nazarene
1111 West 10th Street
La Junta, , CO 81050
Cemetery Details
Location
Valley View Cemetery
27980 County Road 20
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
Memorial Contribution
American Heart Associaion
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