Maj. Thomas E. Hopkins, USAF (Ret.)

Thomas Edward Hopkins, age 86, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on June 22, 1934 in Beeville, Texas, to parents, Thomas Patrick and Genevieve Hopkins, and was the oldest of four children. He graduated from Pasadena High School and attended the University of Houston and Pan American College in Edinburg, Texas.

He entered the Air Force in February 1955 and received his commission in 1956 through the aviation cadet program. He served as a Major in the United States Air Force as a navigator and instructor, and is a Vietnam War veteran. He was awarded the US Air Force Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters for meritorious achievements during aerial flights.

He married his wife of 44 years, Mona Salinas Hopkins, on June 12, 1960 and they had four children together. After retiring from the Air Force in 1975, he completed his Master’s degree in Education and worked in the Texas public school system as a teacher and guidance counselor until his retirement in 2002. After the death of his wife, Mona in 2004, he married his wife Lorna in 2006 in California, where they lived until returning to Texas in 2013.

During his lifetime, he enjoyed fishing and bowling. He was proud to be a member of the Knights of Columbus and was awarded Honorary Lifetime Member. One of the highlights of his life was receiving the “Mr. Elegant” title during a ballroom dancing competition in San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Patricia Emmons and Irene Hopkins; his wife, Mona S. Hopkins; and nephew, Ellis Patrick Presley.

He is survived by his wife, Lorna R. Hopkins; and her children, Anthony Antonio, Rizalin Antonio, and Loriann Enierga; his sister, Doris Fram of Chicago, Illinois; and his four children, Mona M. Hopkins and husband Tony Galvez of San Antonio; son, Thomas K. Hopkins and wife Kimberly of Harlingen; son, Patrick K. Hopkins of San Antonio; daughter, Lisa K. Carlson and husband Aaron of the Woodlands; and seven grandchildren, Thomas and Zachary Hopkins, Patrick and Michael Carlson, and Alejandro, Emilia, and Patricio Hopkins; and two nieces, Genie Presley Reed and Toni Augustine Demeritt; and nephew Louis Presley.

ROSARY

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021

6:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

11:00 A.M.

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY MAUSOLEUM