Dan Leland Hopper

3-31-1934 to 8-14-2014

Dan was born in Hugo, CO on 3-31-1934, the third of 5 children, to William “Bill” Hopper, a respected educator, and Ethel May Hopper, a homemaker. Dan passed away peacefully at his home in Visalia, CA on 8-14-2014 at the age of 80. Dan was raised in Visalia where he attended grade school, Mt. Whitney High School, and COS. He then attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he studied architecture. His first job after leaving Cal Poly was at North American in Inglewood, CA, where his oldest child was born. He then began working at Lockheed, moving to the San Jose area, where four additional children were born and raised. While working for Lockheed, he graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He married his wife, Nancy in San Francisco in 1986. He retired from Lockheed after 35 years of service and returned with Nancy to Visalia to care for his ailing mother. Dan supplemented his retirement by preparing tax returns at H&R Block. In addition to spending time with his wife that he adored, he enjoyed going to the theatre and musicals, oil painting, ceramic work, and building waterfalls and ponds, which he did at every house he lived in. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors at the coast and in the mountains. He had made a remarkable recovery from a massive stroke he had suffered from two and a half years ago, which left him even more appreciative of life and all his relationships.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, William R. Hopper, his mother, Ethel May Hopper, his sisters Lenora “Nody” Boyd and Cheryl Elaine Hopper Howard.

Dan is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Nancy Lynn Clausen Hopper, his five children, Debbie (Mike) Gire, Dan (Beth) Hopper, Diane (Curt) Willems, Denise (Steve) Sanchez, and David Hopper, his grandchildren, Joshua Willems, Danielle Hopper-Sanchez, Gregory Gire, Rochelle Modesto, Greg Alire, Elizabeth Alire, Breanna Stuhlmuller, Karissa Gire, and Stefani Sanchez; seven great grandchildren, Jeremy Modesto, Malachi Modesto, Draven Trujillo, Olivia Gire, Naomi Modesto, Winter Willems, and Micah Modesto, his brothers, Bill (Helen) Hopper and Dale (Barbara) Hopper, brother-in-law Pete Howard, godchildren, Steve, Nicole, and Brian; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at the First Christian Church, 1023 N. Chinowth St., Visalia, CA at 2pm on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Condolences and messages may be expressed on Caring Bridge at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danhopper/guestbook

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be made in his honor to your favorite animal shelter or to Caring Bridge.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.