I miss my good friend Buddy! Rest in peace , I cherish our friendship to this very day! At the deer camp now looking at pictures of you. Great memories!

Still think about you, Coach! Still miss you!! So privileged to work with you!

Still think about you often!! What good times we had! Thank you for being such a fun & wonderful boss!!

Mr. Buddy was a very kind man, who loved his classic Country western music... Craig, Sheryl & Mrs Hopson - please accept my heartfelt condolences. It was an honor to gave met Mr. H  & work with him  through the home care agency. 
He had a warm smile & loved to talk about football.  He had a great sense of humor as well. 
God bless him & his family. 
Christine Coca

Coach Hopson as I knew him was such a blessing to us at high school.   He was so kind and friendly. He taught me how to drive but so much more.   
Nancy Shelton Pruitt 

It's been such a privilege and an honor to have been within Coach Hopson's umbrella of influence.  First as a son of a coach in Ft. Bend, then as a student-athlete in Ft. Bend, and finally the most enjoyable times when I was fortunate to get a moment here and there when he'd take me under his wing and make sure I was doing things the right way (the Hopson way) as a coach.  Coaching School will never be the same.  I always looked forward to seeing him at Jim Smith's hospitality and made it a point to stay in my slacks!!  There was no question where he stood with professional dress and facial hair, HA!

Speaking of facial hair...
During my years coaching at Clements, Coach Hopson was well into retirement but still made his rounds through the district.  One particular time I ran into him.  We weren't far into the conversation when he pointed out in his stern, but humorous, but stern way that I didn't shave that day!  Dang it! I never wanted to disappoint THE MAN! 
It just so happens that on that very next Saturday morning I ran into him at Kroger having coffee with his buddies.  Well lo and behold he didn't shave that morning!!!  So when I asked him what that was on his face, he just gave me that sly grin and a chuckle and said "Alright, you caught, ha!"  Fun times!  I still do my best to make sure I'm clean shave when I go to school everyday!

Going to miss you Coach!  The Ft. Bend family is strong and tight because of you!
Condolences to the family

Buddy and Nell have been our neighbors in Greatwood for eight years.  It was always a pleasure to cheer on the Longhorns knowing that Buddy and Nell were cheering as well.  Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the whole Hopson family.

Carol and I extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Hopson family. Buddy was one of the nicest persons that we have ever met. He was the kind of a man who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.  The last time I  saw him was at the Mall and I still will be looking for him each time I go there.  Sugar Land has lost a legend.

The Campbell family extends its most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of  Coach  Hopson.

RESPECT--he earned it and he gave it in return. He looked you in the eye when he disagreed with you  as well as when he agreed with you.  Reading the comments here leaves no doubt that  that there was a  Ft. Bend family of coaches and educators.  People who were friends as well as competitors. There is also no doubt who created that family. Thank you Coach Hopson for giving us all the opportunity  to be a part of that family and the memories that came about because of it.

Coach Hopson hired Rick and I right out of college.  He was special to us from that first day.   Over the years we both have continued to live by the principles he taught us like work hard, do it the right way and respect others around you.   I would love to pop into his office with my own kids just to visit in the summer.  Both Meredith and Ryan were reminding me the other day how he'd always find something on the shelf to give them from miniature footballs to plastic cups with candy in them.  He had a HUGE heart and would do anything for you.  When he retired a part of me retired too.  He was the best boss you could want.  

 We were lucky that we've been able to continue to see him at Sam's and his home for several years.  Watching him hold court with his cronies at Sam's was fun.  He turned us onto the hotdog and pizza specials there.  Ha! 

 I will miss his smile and humor.  Like others have said he was like a second Father to me.   Rest in peace dear friend and enjoy all your buddies in heaven.  I'm sure they are circled around you telling jokes and having a great time.

Love and respect always,

Marilyn Hunt Terrell

My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Hopson and the Hopson family.  Coach Hopson was the first person that interviewed me before I was hired at Clements HS in 1991.  I can still hear him ask me how fond was I of my mustache, and then went on to inform me that their was a no facial hair dress code for coaches.  Even in recent years, he would still ask me what's that on my face or did you forget to wash your face.  He loved getting a jab in on people, but it was always light-hearted.  I cherish those times when we were together and got to visit.  He was a great mentor and role model for coaches.  He had high expectations for those in the profession.  He constantly reminded me to do what is best for kids and always take care of the girl sports.  I miss him deeply, but I will carry on the advice and wisdom that he shared with me on a daily basis.  Rest in peace and may God be with you Coach! 

Our prayers go out to Mrs. Hopson, Craig, Sheryl, and the entire family on the loss of Coach. 

I worked for Coach Hopson for 9 years and then got to know him even better as a close friend over the last 20 years. Everyday I use lessons he taught me while working for him. He always made the tough decisions even though it was not always the popular route to go.  There was never a question on where he stood on things and he demanded excellence in how you worked with young athletes and other coaches. He was always first class. 

He always made you want to do the little extra that made the difference. You did not want to let him down because you knew he cared so much for the kids you coached and doing things the right way.  Coach Hopson was and always will be the head of Fort Bend ISD athletics and the Fort Bend ISD family.  He made us better coaches and more importantly better people because of his leadership.  I have so many lifetime friends because of him. 

I will miss him each day just like I do Coach Bell but I will always do the best I can each day for them both.  Rest in Peace Coach Hopson



Coach Hopson gave me my first job @ Dulles HS.  I could tell right then that he was “Ol school tough” but would also “have my back”. From then on I thought the world of  him!! He took care of us (coaches), our athletes & countless others. He had such a personality, full of life, full of sarcasm, made me laugh, tough, but fair, loyal, expected a lot but gave a lot! I respected him so much!!  I always wanted to do well for him, to make him proud. Coach Hopson made me a better coach & person. He was like a second dad to me. Gave me advice, calmed me down when I’d get a little “feisty” coaching. I got called into his office a couple times to get “calmed “ down!! Lol!! But he always made me feel like I was doing a good job. I am SO grateful & blessed that Coach Hopson was my Athletic Director and more importantly, my friend.   
To his family, thank you for the many hours  you “shared” him as he did his job. My dad was a coach too, so I understand the hours you sacrificed not having him around. Coach Hopson made a lot of difference in a LOT of people’s lives. My prayers are with you. 
With MUCH  love & respect,
Sandy ❤️🙏🏼 

I thought the the world of Buddy. So many memories of him especially at the deer lease sitting around the campfire laughing and cutting up. He loved to quote limericks and could rattle them off one after the other. I was amazed how long some of them were. 
  I was so proud when my son gave my grandson Buddy’s nickname. I think of Buddy every time I say his name.
  Buddy brought out the best in people and always sought to have the best for FBISD. The world is a lesser place without men like him in leadership positions. 
 May God rest his soul.

Buddy, a good and faithful servant, was quite an influence on many young men,especially .  Three  of my four sons were Dulles athletes and I appreciate his being a part of their education and maturity.
May each day be filled with precious memories.

Sue(FBISD  teacher/counselor) , Ron,Don,Mike  Dinges(70’s)

When I followed Buddy as Fort Bend's Athletic Director in 1993, people I'd meet would say..."So your the one taking Buddy Hopson's place"... To which I would quickly reply..."I'm sitting at the same desk, but no one will ever take Buddy's place"...
I wasn't his choice for that spot, but he helped me anyway because of his care for the coaches and student athletes. In time we became close friends and he would visit often for coffee. One day, out of the clear blue, he said "You were the right one for this job...you've accomplished some great things" and then he quickly changed the subject!!
That is the single most cherished compliment I ever received. It made me work even harder to keep his legacy alive and to promote greatness in Fort Bend Athletes.
As Carolyn said so poignantly in another post...He was a really, really Good Man!
I'm sharing a picture taken 4+ years ago of him with eleven of his "retired" AD counterparts...aka...The Dirty Dozen.

Coach Hopson was a great mentor and friend.  After his retirement, I would often see him and his coffee buddies in the food court at First Colony Mall when I would walk there.  He always had a friendly hello and exchange of catching up on family and friends.  Many good times to remember....  My thoughts and prayers for Nell and his family.

Coach Hopson was my junior high P.E. coach in Sweeny.  I only have fond memories of him as do my fellow students.  Always thought of him as a gentleman and a good teacher.


What a great person indeed.  Loved talking to him.  Much respect and admiration for theCoach. Loved working with him. May he Rest In Peace. He made his mark and will be missed. 

Coach Hopson and I had a disagreement about a policy that l thought was offensive. He told me if l take my complaint upstairs l would win my grievance but, l would  loose the war, however he was retiring in December of this year. If l complied  with Coaches rule he would write recommendations and call in recommendations  to any athletic department that had a head football job that l applied for in the state. I moved into administration after 23 years of chasing that elusive job but,, COACH never forgot our conversation. He gave me a recommendation for EVERY job l applied for an when l saw him and informed him of my decision to move into administration, called me a SORRY THING ! If you ever spent time or played for Coach Hopson you knew if he said that to you it was a term of endearment. We ended our conversation with him  telling me that he was proud of the man l had become and he LOVED me . I responded l LOVE you too COACH.  Rest in peace COACH and God's Speed. 

Coach Hopson taught drivers Ed.  That tells you how brave he was. He loved my mother’s kolaches.  He would beg her to make some.

Coach Hopson was absolutely one of the best people I have ever known!  He will be greatly missed.  He treated everyone from the Janitor to the Superintendent of Schools with the same respect in regard to the job they did and praised them for it, when it was due. He always treated everyone fairly and you always knew where you stood with him!

I can still hear him calling me “Ordinary” instead of Ordeneaux, but after he would call me that he would chuckle and say, “You ain’t Ordinary”. He was one of those people who lifted you up and you never wanted to disappoint him.

When my Father passed away, one of his friends told me that my Father was a “Good Man”. As I walked away from that man I thought to myself there is no greater compliment than to be called a “Good Man”.  So to Coach’s family I say, he was a “Good Man”, one of the best in fact.

To Coach’s family, I hope that you will have peace knowing that he is in a better place.  May God comfort you in the days and weeks to come. My prayers are with you.

Coach, may you rest in peace.  This is not goodbye, it is see you later.

I am so sorry to hear that Coach Hopson has passed away.  The Hopson family is certainly in my thoughts and prayers.

I have known Coach Hopson since my sophomore year in high school, which was 1963.  Not only was he my coach but he was a dear friend.  Coach Hopson was always a fair and honest man, a person whom I looked up to.  I was privileged to have worked for him for 20 years when he was the AD at Fort Bend ISD and also to have been coached by him in high school, but most of all  I was honored to be his friend.  He will be greatly missed.
Freddie K. Melton

We lived across the street from Buddy and Nell for twenty three years and count them as very dear friends.  Had many discussions  about football in the street or yard with Buddy during this time of year.  Fond and positive memories of Buddy and his family.  May God bless Nell and the family during this time.

Dale and Violet Gibson

Outstanding gentleman 
Hired me at Head baseball & assistant football at FortBend Dulles
We stayed friends for life!!
Great coach & leader👏👏
Prayers for Buddy & family

I am Mindy Benefield’s daughter and wanted to share how much I loved and adored Coach Hopson!  I knew him from birth and would run around the field house calling him Coach “Popson”  as a toddler.  Later, I would see him Saturday mornings with his friends at the cafe at the Randall’s behind our house and his kindness and care for what I had going on in my life always prevailed.  He was loved by many!!  May God’s peace and comfort be with you all.   

Thinking of you in your time of loss.  May the lessons your father gave you last a lifetime, and may you always fell his spirit nearby.
Michael and Katrina Sassin

I will never forget interviewing with Coach Hopson in the spring of 1973. Little did I know, that wearing a dress to that interview was paramount in my securing the job! He always was such a class act and expected us to demonstrate that same behavior while teaching and coaching.  Our teams and staff always had the best uniforms and coaching attire than any of our opponents. 
Coach Hopson taught us values of fairness and discipline which carried over into our coaching and personal lifestyle. He set high expectations and we knew what was expected and where we stood in his eyes.
He also had a heart of gold and charisma  that made us all want to be a part of his team and do our very best to represent FBISD Athletics in the best way possible!
Like my father, Coach Hopson was such an influence in my life and I will always treasure the memories and love of the game that I experienced as a coach in Fort Bend ISD for 38 years.
May you Rest In Peace knowing how much we all loved you and appreciated working for you
🙏❤️Mindy Benefield 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Ernest Lewis Hopson

3 avril 1934 – 4 décembre 2020

The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek

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