Jonathan Hopper

Jonathan Hyatt Hopper, 87, of McDade, passed away peacefully, Sunday, October 10, 2021.  On September 5, 1934, in the countryside of McDade, Texas, Jonathan Hyatt Hopper was born the youngest of three children to William Miller Hopper and Lois Irene McDavid Hopper.  He lived and grew up out on the prairie in the Lund Community, where his mother taught school.  In the late 40’s, when Jonathan was in the 8th grade, the Hopper family moved to Elgin, where he played football at Elgin High School and graduated with the Class of ’52.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in Korea and Japan with the Airborne Paratrooper Division.  Upon honorably discharging from the military, he enrolled and attended the University of Texas at Austin and Arlington.  While attending college, he worked parttime during the summer for Otis Elevator Company, which ultimately turned into a 33-year career.  In 1975, he married Patricia Campbell and the two had a beautiful daughter, Jennifer Lynn, who passed away in 2008, leaving behind her young son, Tyler.

Jonathan provided a home for Tyler and cared for his grandson dearly.  Grandpaw was Tyler’s biggest supporter; he especially enjoyed Tyler’s Boy Scouting days as well as being his biggest fan throughout his high school days, attending all his football games, track events, and wrestling matches.  Tyler graduated and went off to college.  Jonathan returned to home to his farm in the Knobbs Springs Community.

Jonathan and Betty Lynn Meyer, old friends and Elgin High Classmates married in 1991.  Together they ranched their grandfathers’ land and shared their lives together for 15 years.

Jonathan and his sister, Carol professed their faith in Christ as young children at a Revival held at the Knobbs Springs Baptist Church.  He was Baptized and spent his teen years attending First Baptist Church of Elgin, then attended Manchaca Baptist with Jennifer, and later Bannockburn Baptist Church with Tyler.  In his last years, he returned to Knobbs Springs Baptist Church, where he acquired his faith.

Jonathan was preceded in death by both his parents; his beloved daughter, Jennifer; and his two siblings, Jesse and Carol.

Jonathan is survived by his grandson, Tyler Hyatt Hopper; his granddaughter, Elizabeth Shafer; his stepdaughters, Sharon Shafer and Melissa Bauer; his nephews, Mark Hopper and wife Debbie, Fred Hopper and wife Patty, and John Hopper; his niece Patty and husband Dan Gillian; and numerous extended family and dear friends.

Jonathan will lie in state at Elgin Funeral Home, Friday, October 15th from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM.  Funeral Services will be conducted at Knobbs Springs Baptist Church, Saturday, October 16th at 11:00 AM with Pastor David Atwood presiding.  Interment will follow at the Knobbs Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.