M.D. John Milburn Hopper

John Milburn Hopper, M.D., was born in Baton Rouge on Oct. 14, 1923, and died Friday, May 21, 2010, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Monday, May 24, was from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visitation continues at First United Methodist Church, 930 North Blvd., Tuesday at 10 a.m. with memorial service conducted by Brad Franklin to follow at the church at 11 a.m. He exhibited great passion in his medical practice, his participation in the church and all areas of his life. John graduated from Bernard Terrace Elementary School and University High School in 1940, where he served as captain of the football team. He then attended Northwestern State University and LSU Medical School, where he graduated in 1947. Dr. Hopper served an internship and family practice residency at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas. After practicing family medicine in Baton Rouge for 13 years he specialized in neurology, receiving his formal training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Pinecrest State School and Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He practiced neurology with the Baton Rouge Clinic until his retirement. He was a member, committee chairman and officer of the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society, the 6th District Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association, the Family Practice Medical Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurologic Association, the American Encephanalogic Association and the Alpers Silver Stick Society. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War with the rank of captain. While attending LSU Medical School, John married Virginia Seale Sept. 2, 1944, at First United Methodist Church in New Orleans. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Virginia; four children and their spouses; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Curry, and her husband, Ed. Children and spouses are Sheryl Lynn Goldston and husband Dennis Wayne Goldston, and their children Brett, Robin and Kris; Karen Elizabeth Clark and husband Michael Stephen Clark, and their children Tully, Joe and Harry; James Milburn Hopper and wife Janine Hatch Hopper; Randolph Seale Hopper and wife Elise Ludwig Hopper and their children John and Tori. John was predeceased by his parents, Archie Milburn Hopper and Buelah Zimmerman Hopper; and by a son, John Gary Hopper. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church serving in numerous roles, most notably on the Care Team for many years. Dr. John was a member of the Wedding Ring Sunday school class since 1952. He was a member of the Baton Rouge Country Club and an avid golfer. He served as a board member of the Association of Retarded Citizens and Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation. He also was a founding member of the LSU Medical School Foundation. John was a fanatical follower of LSU sports, most notably the Fighting Tiger football team (thoroughly enjoying the Tiger Gridiron Club for many years), the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and any event that his children or grandchildren participated in. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Care Team of First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge or the LSU Medical School Foundation Scholarship Fund.