Jeffrey Allen Hopping Sr.

Jeffrey (Jeff) Allen Hopping Sr., a resident of Pelham, Alabama died on February 7, 2026, at the age of 81. Jeff was born on November 9, 1944, in Lloyd Noland Hospital in Fairfield Alabama, the 2nd son of Jack Hopping and Violet Hester Hopping. He grew up in Ensley and was active in the Boy Scouts, the Ensley Presbyterian Church, and played every sport at the Ensley YMCA. He especially loved spending time at the family’s river camp at Bull Dog Bend on the Cahaba River. He was his mother’s favorite child, and his siblings never let him forget it. He attended Baker Elementary School and Ensley High School, where he excelled in athletics. He led the Yellow Jackets to several undefeated seasons. After graduating from Ensley High School, he received a football scholarship to attend Samford University from then Coach Bobby Bowden.

After his college days at Samford, he began a long and successful career in the tire business, starting at David Tire in Birmingham and culminating at Cahaba Tire in Pelham. He loved the tire business and made tons of friends along the way.

His favorite activity was coaching his children’s sports teams, no matter the sport. His children were natural athletes, as Jeff was, and they generally overcame his coaching to excel. Ever the sports fan, he seldom missed a game or cheerleading competition in which one of his kids or grandkids were competing. For several years he was the play-by-play analyst for the Berry High School football broadcast. He loved it and was good at it.

As his children were growing up, Jeff and his family spent lots of time at the family’s lake house on Lay Lake. He became and expert at pulling water skiers – his record was pulling five kids at one time down Peckerwood Creek. Not surprising though, while full of passengers and luggage, he also managed to sink the boat. He loved gardening and every part of his backyard was planted with some type of flower, shrub, or tree. His pride were his banana trees. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting, and reading a good novel. Jeff loved life and his family, and he especially loved being “Papa” to all his grandkids.

He is predeceased by his parents, Jack Hopping, Sr. and Violet Hester Hopping; sisters, Nancy Jo Hopping and Jennifer K. Hopping; brother, Jack Hopping Jr.; and his wife of 29 years, Victoria Cosco Hopping.

He is survived by his children, Jeffrey Allen Hopping, Jr. (Wendy), Brett Donly Hopping, and Lauren Sue Blalock (Amanda), and his stepchildren, Valerie O’Brien (Joe), Kirk Bagley, and Billy Bagley; 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; sister, Sue Hopping Wills (Clyde); sister in-law, Kaaren Taylor Hopping; several nieces and nephews and the mother of his children, Babs Crooks Petelos.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 1pm until 2pm at Johns Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel. A family graveside service will follow at 2 pm at Elmwood Cemetery where Jeff will be laid to rest in the family plot.