Charles Smith Hopkins, age 89, went to be with our Lord on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 3:30 a.m after being admitted for pneumonia at the Select Specialty Hospital in the Heights, Houston Texas.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Glennys Asselin-Cavey and husband Ed, two grandchildren, Mikalyn Asselin Conner, and husband Steven, Christopher Asselin, and wife Jerie, three great grandchildren, Sabra Grubb, Chayce Asselin, and Harlow Asselin.
Charles was a WWII Army Veteran, having served in Italy in July 1944- January 1946, and was very proud of his receiving the Bronze Star medal for bravery in capturing three German officers. He loved telling stories of the time he was in Italy, and he could still speak some Italian.
Charles was born in Rush Springs, Oklahoma and was one of five children born to Jesse Elizabeth Smith Hopkins and Admiral Dewey Hopkins. He is the last of the siblings to pass away as he was
nearing his 90th birthday. Siblings preceding him were Esther Delores Hopkins Walling, Bessie Pearl Hopkins Combs, Billy Joe Hopkins, and Nona Lee (Nonie) Hopkins King. The Hopkins’ were a very close knit family. His mother remarried Roy Lesher when the children were very young, and to Charles and his siblings, Roy was their dad.
Charles married Clara Butler and they had three children, Charles “Chuck” Ira, Rodney Douglas and Glennys. Charles and Clara divorced in 1960. Tragically, their sons Chuck and Rodney both passed away in 1971. He married Mae Schafer Hopkins in 1964 and spent many years together until her death. He worked at Hildebrandt Engineering Company, which was later purchased by ITT, as an Instrument Technician for 40 years. He enjoyed the company of his companion Nancy McDermott.
Being a devoted Christian, he attended the Gethsemane Lutheran Church on Watonga in Northwest Houston. He enjoyed spending time in his yard with his orange and pecan trees. Charles participated in numerous corporate fun runs and was active in the Sons of Herman Lodge on Saturday evenings where he danced to Polka music. He was friends with the River Road Boys country western band and followed their sessions at many events. Charles enjoyed cooking, and his specialties were brisket and homemade bar-b-que sauce.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2015, 11:30 am, at Beresford Funeral Service, 13501 Alief Clodine Road, Houston Texas 77082. The funeral service will follow at 12:30 pm. Following the service, all are invited to the V.A. National Cemetery where Charles wished to be buried. Cars will form behind the hearse and enter the cemetery gates at 2:30. The Army honor guard will present rifle volleys to honor him. The Cemetery address is 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive. Houston Tx 77038. Maps will be available at the funeral service.
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