Claude Hopper

Claude Waudell Hopper of Fritch, TX, passed away at his home on November 1. He had recently celebrated his landmark 80th birthday in grand fashion.

Known to many as C.W., he was born in Pilot Point, TX in 1938 and graduated from Borger High School in 1956. C.W. married Patricia Ann Sterling on September 5, 1959 and soon after served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany. Upon returning home, he and Pat moved to Albuquerque, NM where they adopted two sons, Keith W. Hopper and Kevin W. Hopper. C.W. worked at Railway Express Agency before becoming a bus driver for Trailways for more than 20 years, where he earned a Million Mile Driver Safety Award.

After Trailways, C.W. owned and operated a freight service before moving back to Borger where he worked at Popular Supply and later at Frank Phillips College where he retired. As many people know, if you met C.W. once, you immediately had a friend for life. Honest, hardworking and always willing to chat with strangers, he created a large circle of friends throughout his life and will certainly be missed and remembered by many.

First inspired by his father, one of his great loves in life was baseball, particularly Texas Rangers baseball. In his later years, C.W. was able to enjoy numerous Rangers games in Arlington and regularly attended Spring Training in Phoenix with his family.

C.W. is survived by two sons Keith W. Hopper and wife Kristie of Vacaville, CA, and Kevin W. Hopper and wife Francine of Boise, ID, one grandchild, Jonathan Hopper of Vacaville, CA, two siblings, sister Tonya Whitfield and husband Bill of Seattle, WA, brother Ronney Hopper and wife Marilyn of Amarillo, TX, sisters-in-law Shirley Hammack and husband Paul, and Sharon Looney, both of Fritch, TX, as well as many nieces, nephews and additional family members.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia Ann Hopper, his father J Hopper, and mother Evelyn Hopper, his father-in-law Floyd Sterling and mother-in-law Emily Fay Sterling, and brothers-in-law David Henderson and Brian Looney.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on Friday, December 7 at Minton-Chatwell Chapel. C.W. enjoyed life and engaging with people very much, and would likely ask that we all do the same, laughing and loving each other along the way.

Service