James H Hopper

James Harrison Hopper, 97, of Katy, Texas and formerly of Evansville, Indiana passed away at his daughter's home in Texas on Friday, November 21, 2014. He was born May 12, 1917 in Wapanucka, Oklahoma to the late Laura Ellen (Harrison) and James Wickliffe Hopper.

Jim married the love of his life, Dorothy Nora Ameringer, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 26, 1941. They were married 61 years before she preceded him in death in 2002.

Jim was a graduate of Oklahoma City Central High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1940 in Business, Finance, and Accounting from his Alma Mater, the University of Oklahoma, home of his beloved "Sooners". He was the longest living member of his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, at the time of his death. He retired from Halliburton Services in 1983 after 43 years with the same company, advancing his career to become the Eastern United States Division Accountant. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as both an Elder and Deacon, the Evansville Petroleum Club, a volunteer with his wife for the Evansville Retired Teachers Association, and was a 32nd Degree Mason.

A man of many talents and interests, he was a master woodworker, gardener extraordinaire still gardening into his mid 90s, accomplished bridge player, sports fanatic especially when it came to his OU football, and was an avid reader.

He traveled extensively with Dorothy through Elderhostel programs, and they explored forty-nine of the fifty states as well as traveling throughout Europe. For a time they lived at Solabron, taking part in many of the activities and excursions offered there. He was devoted to perpetual learning, extending his knowledge in a wide variety of fields, including ornithology, photography, the computer and Facebook, and he was still studying his iPad until just a few days before his death. In his mid 90s he wrote his memoirs for his children, and we learned he had lived a very full and adventurous life as a youth in the wild southwest. He loved following his grandchildren and great grandchildren's academic, sport, and musical endeavors, hoping he would live long enough to see the people they would become.

Mr. Hopper is survived by his three daughters: Linda H. Johnston (E. W.) Rogers, Indianapolis, Indiana; Virginia K. (Garry) Hodge, Katy, Texas; and, Elodee A. (J. B.) Tuley, St. Louis, Missouri. He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Melissa E. (Richard) Rogers, Indianapolis, Indiana; Dr. Ryan M. (Dr. Lori) Johnston, Yorktown, Indiana; Meredith S. (Sam) Coultas, Katy, Texas; Kathleen J. (Jerrod) Tramill, Katy, Texas; James B. (Ariel) Tuley, St. Louis, Missouri; and Jillian L. (Brian) Turek, Laurel, Maryland. Great grandchildren are Harrison and Olivia Rogers; Peyton, Marshall, and Donovan Johnston; Jack and Emma Coultas; and Elaina and Ava Tramill. Additionally, he leaves behind several nieces and nephews. The family would also like to thank his beloved caregiver, Elizabeth Moore, and his hospice nurse, Kate Koehn, RN of the Houston, Texas Good Shepherd Hospice.

A private graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at Evansville Alexander Memorial Park. Alexander North Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Hopper's name may be made to the Vanderburgh Humane Society, PO Box 6711, Evansville, Indiana 47719. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.

Alexander Memorial Park Burial Location: Garden Of Prayer, Lot 84C, Space 1