Jesse Spencer Hopkins

He was 87 years old.

Jesse was born on March 25, 1935 in Parma, Idaho. He moved to California when he was about 4 years old and to San Bernardino shortly after that.

He attended San Bernardino High School. He met the love of his life and best friend, who would eventually become his wife, when he was 14 years old. In June 1953, at the age of 18, he married Rada Sue Smith. They were 3 months short of 66 wonderful years before she passed away in March 2019. They moved to Yucaipa in 1955 where together they raised 3 children; Rhonda, Randy and Susan.

From the age of 17 Jesse was in the construction business, eventually becoming a licensed building contractor. He worked several projects in and out of town, and built several houses as well as a couple of churches in the Yucaipa/Redlands area. He was a building superintendent over several other projects in San Bernardino County during his working life.

Jesse enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader. Together with his wife, kids, grandkids and friends, he enjoyed camping in their motorhome at the desert and riding off-road in the dune buggy that Jesse built. In his younger years he also enjoyed water skiing and camping at Lake Havasu with his family.

Jesse had a great sense of humor that many enjoyed. He always had great one liners and funny sayings. Jesse will be remembered for his kind demeanor, generous spirit, loyal friendship and love for his family.

Jesse is survived by his daughter Rhonda Grindell of Yucaipa, Randy Hopkins (Joy) of Yucaipa, Sue Skyberg (Dan Montoya) of Grand Junction, CO; one sister Judy Grilli (Carl) of Morro Bay; 5 grandchildren, Christopher Hopkins, Brandy Green (Vanessa Green), Jillian (Skyberg) Ramos (Jose Ramos), Shaleena (Hopkins) Brewster (Josh Brewster) and Brian Skyberg. He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, 6 great great-grandchildren through his granddaughter’s (Jillian’s) marriage, many nieces, nephews and several dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife Rada Hopkins, grandson Jeff Skyberg, his parents Pauline and George Hopkins and two sisters; Paula Nelson and Ethelda Basham.

No services will be held at Jesse’s request.

Donations may be made to Jesse’s favorite charity St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital online at http://stjudememorialfoundation.org , by phone at (800) 822-6344, or mail at PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.