Obituary of Donald Eugene Hopkins

Donald Eugene "Don" Hopkins, 93, of rural Cherryvale, passed away Friday, December 25, 2015 at his home. He was born on September 25, 1922, on the family farm south of Cherryvale, to Lee and Rose (Ternes) Hopkins. Don started grade school at West Fairview district 60, completing the 8th grade in 1934, this is where he began a lifelong friendship with Vernon and Bob Lackey. He attended Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville graduating in 1939. In 1940, he started working with Ed Marshall learning his carpentry skills building a barn on the northwest corner of the soon to be Coffeyville Air Base. The barn was later made into the Officers Club, and later the Shrine Barn. In 1941, his friend Bob Lackey suggested moving to Wichita where he worked for the Culver Company building wooden gliders for the war effort. In October 1942, Don and his friend Bob Lackey joined the U.S. Army Air Force, he was sent to Amarillo, TX to be mechanics on B-17's. In April 1943 he volunteered for pilot training, becoming a pilot in 1944. His first assignment was at Midland, TX training bombardiers. He volunteered to become a flight engineer on the B-29. His training was completed in late July 1945. The war ended in August 1945 and he regretfully never had the opportunity to fight in the war. On September 15, 1945, he was discharged from active duty and joined the Air Force Reserves. In April 1944, he married Thelma Ruth Goodman. Following Don's discharge from the Army Air Force he loaded up his family and returned to Liberty. Along with longtime friend Vernon Lackey, he went to work as carpenters. He started working part-time learning the lumber business at Gibbs Lumber Yard in South Coffeyville, OK, during this time he helped with an addition to the old Rock School and remodeled the South Coffeyville United Methodist Church. In 1955, he moved his family to Coffeyville and started working full time for Gibbs Lumber Co. In February 1957, his wife Thelma passed away. On June 1, 1958, he married Norma Gail Williams in Topeka, KS. Following their marriage the family moved to West Coffeyville. Norma was a school teacher and taught at Whittier School and later at Coffeyville Community College. In 1965, along with the help of Neil Ruark and Pollet Construction Company he started Don's Building Service in South Coffeyville, located in the old Shook Grocery Store and U.S. Postal building. Together they built many any new homes in South Coffeyville. In1971, he bought the old Ternes farm his grandparents claimed in 1871 and started to make it into another business. In 1984, he completed his Air Force Service with the rank of Major, disposed of Don's Building Service and retired to the farm. His favorite hobby was making wood furniture. This he learned at Field Kindley High School under Ralph Pate. He made many birthday and Christmas presents for friends, neighbors and family over the years. Most important, he thought, where the 50 year anniversary plaques he made for many friends and neighbors. With the help of friend and neighbor Bob Testerman, he changed to farm over to only hay production. In 1987 he purchased a portable saw mill. He milled lumber for many of the wooden objects he built. In 1995, his wife Norma passed away. In the early 21st century his health began to fail. He sold the saw mill and discontinued most of his hobbies. Tim Lackey helped him put us hay so he was to continue this for many years including 2015. Don was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church, a charter member of the South Coffeyville Lions Club, and a member of American Legion Post #20. Survivors include one son, Don Steven Hopkins and his wife Janet of Platte City, MO; one daughter, Eva Ellen Huckins of Mulvane, KS; one grandson, Scott Hopkins; two great granddaughters, five step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and brother-in-law, Rosalle and Howard Wise, and his wives Thelma Ruth, and Norma Gail. Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the Liberty United Methodist Church in Liberty, KS with Pastor Bill Booe officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park in Coffeyville with Military Honors conducted by V.F. W. Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20. The family suggests memorials to the Liberty United Methodist Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.