Gordon W. Hopson

Died: June 28, 2008

Gordon Willis Hopson, 80, of Friendship Road, Afton, died Saturday at his home. His family stated that he had fought a year-long, courageous battle with cancer.

He was born July 10, 1927, and was a son of the late Bernie and Lena Hopson.

Mr. Hopson was a retired farmer.

He was a member of Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church.

Mr. Hopson was a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the National Rifle Association.

His family provided the following statement: "He was a fine, Christian man, who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He lived most of his life in the Gethsemane and Milburnton communities.

"He was a musician and was part of the original Clear Springs Quartet. Later, he, his late wife, Edith Laws Hopson, and a daughter, Sharon Mercer, were known as the Hopson Trio, traveling many miles for the Lord singing gospel music. After Edith passed away, Pauline, joined the group.

"He loved singing, playing his guitar and making music with many friends throughout his years. He even tried to sing with his sister and others who came to visit him in his last days.

"An avid sportsman, he loved hunting and fishing, passing this passion on to all three of his sons.

"He, along with several family members and friends, enjoyed many trips to Canada, Newfoundland, Colorado, Idaho, and many other states in and around Tennessee.

"He also loved to reload hunting shells and did this for countless number of people for many years. He will be greatly missed."

Survivors include his wife of 18 years: Pauline Hopson; three sons and two daughters-in-law: Kenny and Kathy Hopson, Denny and Joyce Hopson, and Rennie Hopson; two daughters and a son-in-law: Sharon Mercer and Nancy and Doug Morrow; his stepdaughter: Stephanie Tindell; three grandsons: Desi Mercer, Dusty Hopson, and Heath Hopson; two stepgranddaughters: Katelyn Baxley and Sierra Tindell; three great-grandsons: Drew Mercer, Dylan Hopson, and Heath Hopson Jr.; a sister: Bernice Waites; four brothers and their wives: Duard and Barbara Hopson, Dennis and Joyce Hopson, Hugh and Betty Hopson, and Gene and Betty Hopson; five sisters-in-law: Retha Hopson, Agnes Harrison, and Nancy Laws, all of Greeneville, Norma Livesay and Lillie Dickenson, both of Kingsport; his brothers-in-law: Harold Laws of Greeneville, Clyde DeBord, Elmer DeBord, and Larry DeBord, all of Kingsport, and Hugh Kyle DeBord, of Morristown; several nieces and nephews; two special uncles: Reed Harrison and Clarence Harrison; several cousins; his special friends: Boyd and Rena Faye Chandley, Mike Turner of Nashville, Gale Doty, Lecile Headrick, and many others; and a special friend of the family: Kathy Gentry.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Raven Hopson.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at Kiser Funeral Home.

The funeral service will follow visitation at 8 o'clock in the funeral home chapel. The Rev. Kevin Trimble and the Rev. Keith Williams will officiate.

A committal service will be held at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning in Gethsemane Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at 10 o'clock at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Sammy Whitson, Boyd Chandley, Tom Cooter, Gale Doty, Lecile Headrick, Tommy Austin, Lynn Roberts, and Lewis Stroud.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Rufus Breckenridge, Dr. James Rodgers, the nurses and staff of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the nurses and staff of Adventa Hospice, Yvonne Waddell, Shelby McLaughlin, the members of the Crusaders Class of Oak Grove FWB Church, and his caregiver, Peggy Barnes.

Condolences may be sent to the Hopson family online at loc7439@sci-us.com

Family and friends may share thoughts and fond memories or view a memorial online at www.MeM.com