Walter Hopkins, M.D.

WALTER J. HOPKINS, M.D. Walter Jones Hopkins, Jr., known to most as "Hoppy," went to be with the Lord on June 17, 2011 at Heartfelt Manor in Roswell, New Mexico at the age of 87. He was born June 30, 1923 in Ft. Worth, Texas to Walter Jones Hopkins, Sr. and Anna Theresa Bauer. It was the loss of his father from appendicitis, when Hoppy was 8 years old, that charted his course towards medicine, but there were a few bumps in the road before achieving his medical degree in 1955 from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Hoppy's mother contracted tuberculosis rendering her unable to care for her two children; therefore, Hoppy and his younger sister, Ora Mae "Dinkie," were raised in the Masonic Home in Ft. Worth, Texas. Following his graduation in 1941 from the Masonic Home High School, Hoppy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was trained as a Naval Aviator. He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Four (VT-4), about which a book has been written. This Squadron was one of the Navy's most remarkable and effective airborne combat units during WWII as documented in the book. His Squadron served three tours of duty; one in the Atlantic on the USS Ranger participating with the British Home Fleet; one on the USS Bunker Hill in the Pacific starting with strikes on the Philippines; and the third on the USS Essex ending with the invasion of Okinawa. During his last tour of duty, he narrowly escaped death aboard the aircraft carrier "Essex" when it was hit by a Japanese Kamikaze plane. Following 3 years of active duty as a Lieutenant, Hoppy was honorably discharged from the service. He then enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Reserves serving from 1945-1961. For his patriotic service, Hoppy received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Air Medal, American Defense Ribbon, Pacific Theatre Ribbon with three stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. While in college, Hoppy met Florine Newberg and they were married June 6, 1947 in Ft. Worth, Texas. He earned his B.A. degree in education in 1949 from North Texas State Teachers College in Denton, TX . Hoppy and Florine moved to Lovington, New Mexico where Hoppy took a teaching and coaching position at Lovington High School. He left Lovington in 1951 to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor after being accepted to medical school. Following his internship at Harris Hospital in Ft. Worth, Texas, the Hopkins returned to Lovington in 1956 and Hoppy began his family medicine and surgery practice. Hoppy was an active member and officer of numerous local, state, and national medical organizations over the years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge #46. Hoppy served on the Lovington School Board for 8 years. Hoppy remarried in 1969 to Gail Campell Marsh. They moved to Picacho, New Mexico where they resided at Casa Linda for a number of years. While living in the Hondo Valley, Hoppy changed his specialty to Emergency Medicine and he staffed E.R.s in cities throughout Southeastern New Mexico and West Texas. While living at Casa Linda, he was struck by lightening in 1988. Hoppy and Gail moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1995 where he established an occupational medicine practice until retiring in 2005. At that time, they returned to Lovington, New Mexico where Gail lost her battle with cancer. Hoppy's last four years have been spent with family in Roswell, New Mexico. Hoppy was preceded in death by his parents, sister, wife, and first grandchild, Shayna Leigh Hopkins-Puma. Those left behind to cherish his memories are Florine Hopkins Matthews and their four children: Michael Hopkins; Mark Hopkins and his wife, Sharon; Anne Puma and her husband, Bob; and Gail Butler Shadix and her husband, Bob; Grandchildren: Olivia Hopkins and her fiancé, Aryon Hoselton; Daniel Hopkins; Ariel Hopkins; Andrew Hopkins; Jini Puma and her husband, Eric Rice; Kristi "Cissy" Puma; Scott Puma; Ben Butler; Kelley Butler and her husband, Jared Ford; Leeanne Shadix and her husband, Robert Graf; Sandy Shadix and her husband, Michael Back; Kenda Collins and her husband Cris Giron; Kera Collins and her husband, Donald Fresquez as well as great grandchildren, extended family members, and lifelong friends. The staffs of Heartfelt Manor and Vista Care are extended a special thank you for the exceptional care, support and love showered on Hoppy and his family. Hoppy will always be remembered by his family for his zest for life; his spirit of adventure; his love of mankind and animals; and his dedication to the service of others. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com. Hoppy was cremated according to his wishes and will be interned at a future date in the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, friends may send memorials in his honor to the Lovington High School College Scholarship Fund sponsored by the Class of 1969. Contributions may be made online or remitted directly to either the New Mexico Junior College or Eastern New Mexico University designating such memorial funds to the LHS Alumni Scholarship. More information is available at http://web.me.com/rphillip/LHSScholarship. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Walter Hopkins, M.D.

June 30, 1923 - June 17, 2011