Jerry Eugene Hopkins

As life happens and our Earthly vessels fail, health issues preceded his death. He was thankful to remain at home with his family throughout most of his health journey. He is at perfect peace now in his body, mind, and heart, all restored to perfection with Jesus.

His son Brent and his wife, Christina, were by his side the entire time, caring for and loving him deeply, just as Jerry loved those around him.

To say Jerry’s life has been full would be an understatement.

He was born the oldest of three children to Eugene Boyd and Torrence Carole (Moore) Hopkins of Norman, Oklahoma. Denny Gale and Carole Jan (Zeigler) followed their beloved brother into their parents’ union. Jerry’s early family was complete as they all faced life together in love and happiness, attending McFarlin United Methodist Church, where Jerry was baptized. Jerry and his family are proud members of the Citizen Potawatomi Indian Nation of Oklahoma.

Jerry fell head over heels in love at the age of 18, when he met Kay Frances Geer. These high school sweethearts were married on February 9, 1961. That day, Kay gained a brother-in-love in Denny (Rosie, wife) and a sister-in-love, Jan (husband, Gary).

When they exchanged their forever vows in a small ceremony, it was the first chapter in their life story. Soon after, the newlyweds settled in Norman in a small 900-square-foot bungalow.

Their first child - Marc Eugene - was born, and the family began to grow. Four years later, they had their second son, James Brent. As their life fortunes increased, they moved to a couple of other homes in Norman. They settled into their lives, into the love they all shared and being the solid, supportive family they were. Wherever they were, they lived happily and fully.

Their little family was complete and whole.

In the early years of his young family, Jerry worked sun-up to sundown at Oklahoma Natural Gas. In 1964, he became a United States Postal Mail Carrier in Norman, Oklahoma, providing a good, comfortable, and stable life for Kay and their boys. Jerry retired from there in 1997 after 33 years of excellent service provided to the USPS. He loved it when he transitioned from a walking mail carrier route to a postal truck. That was a very good time for him as he disliked the strongly blowing Oklahoma wind, the biting dogs and the slips and falls on ice. He loved and became friends with the people on his route. They would bless him with baked goods and candy they left in the mailbox for him to find as he delivered their mail. Kay worked outside the home as well. She loved to ensure a clean home for her husband upon his return home from work.

Meals would always be waiting – hot, delicious, and plenty.

She kept his uniforms cleaned and ironed. Jerry and their boys wanted or needed for nothing. They could count on their parents, steady and true.

Marc and Brent knew their dad would be there for them each day to help make life grand through the joys, hurts, and fun of growing up. Jerry coached them in all of their sports and activities, supporting their dreams and ideas fully. He was always their number one fan, their biggest cheerleader, and in their corners, no matter what. Jerry was their hero.

He was always there with an encouraging word, a loving hug, and an understanding shoulder of strength. Together, they built a life they all loved. Jerry and Kay had a beautiful marriage for sixty years until her passing two and a half years ago.

Jerry’s capacity to love others knew no bounds, especially when it came to his family.

Jerry and Kay welcomed seven grandchildren with much love and open arms - Justin (wife Lecia), Jordan (wife Lydia) and Chad (wife Shelby), Holden, Hunter, Elise (husband Robert), and Ethan (wife Carlee).

Next, they were blessed by six great-grandchildren - Cadence, Grady, Arthur, Prestyn, Aubrey, and Riley.

These children were a blessing to Jerry. Through the good and hard times in his health and memory journey, he never lost sight of always keeping them within his heart, praying for their successes and happiness.

Christmas and Thanksgiving were always some of Jerry’s happiest times, mostly because of the joy the holidays brought Kay and his family by everyone being together. He loved to help fully decorate their home, hanging up outside Christmas lights, putting up the tree, and anything “honey-do” he was doing to ensure that the happiness and joy of the Holidays covered anyone who walked into their home.

Jerry and Kay bowled in a league, winning and having fun with this. Jerry was the American Bowling Congress State Champion in Handicap Singles and Singles in 1976-1977. They had weekly dates with other couples to travel the area and loving life abundantly. Jerry adored anything that included the University of Oklahoma, especially a gorgeous Fall Day centered around Oklahoma Football at the Palace on the Prairie in Norman.

Jerry’s greatest source of pride and joy was his wife, his boys, and their children and great-grandchildren. He was their protector, defender, and greatest support, day and night. He loved his brother and sister so well through all of the changes and chapters of life. He affectionately called his little sister Jan “Baby” every time he talked to her, making them both smile. Even in his later years as his health and memory began to decline, he always held them all in his heart, wishing nothing but all things great and grand in their lives.

To his Friends, he was loyal, present, and would do anything for them. Kids who grew up with his sons from the neighborhood turned into his friends, with lasting relationships that have stood the test of time.

Kay was his rock, his strength, and the absolute love of his life. The way he took care of her through all the things that this life threw at them and blessed them with is the stuff of the greatest love stories ever written. Their love was legendary. It spanned over half a century, and it absolutely stood the test of time. We should all be so blessed to follow their example. After her passing, his heart broke and shattered. Broken heart syndrome is a real thing as he mourned her passing.

Everyone who knew Jerry loved him for his big, happy, and genuine smile. It lit up every room he walked into.

His capacity to love knew no bounds with anyone fortunate to know him.

He promised each one of us he would always be there. And now he is watching over us, guiding us, loving us. We can’t have another one of his legendary hugs, but we can continue his legacy of love, loyalty, and giving a smile to everyone we meet by keeping his memory close within our hearts.

He is preceded in death by his beloved Kay, his grandparents on both sides, father and mother. He is survived by all of the family previously mentioned.

A funeral service for Jerry will be held Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Primrose Funeral Service, 1109 North Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Hopkins family.