John R. Hopson

Died: Nov. 15, 2009

John R. Hopson, 80, of Bill Jones Road, Afton, died Sunday evening at the Johnson City Medical Center.

Mr. Hopson was a retired machinist.

He was of the Baptist tradition of faith.

Mr. Hopson was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, serving as one of "The Chosin Few."

He was the widow of Betty Ruth Hopson, his wife of 53 years, who died Dec. 19, 2008.

Survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law: Jeff Hopson of Garland, Texas, and Danny and Jennifer Hopson of Greeneville; two daughters and sons-in-law: Brenda and Ronnie Hall of Garland, Texas, and Sharon and Clifford Lawing of Afton; 12 grandchildren and their spouses: Brooke and Brad Johnson, Stacey Lawing, Tracie Wilkes, Jake and Tiffany Denney, Aaron Hopson, Jarod Hopson, Courtney Hopson, Jessica Hopson, Ashlan Hopson, Ryan Hopson, Jake Grady, and Madi Grady; six great-grandchildren: Haylea Johnson, Peyton Lawing, Mya Hopson, Trevor Hopson, Mason Hopson, and Hayden Denney; two brothers and three sisters-in-law: Terry and Tommy Hopson of Johnson City, Speedy and Harriet Hopson of Unicoi, and Carmen Hopson of Unicoi County; and a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law: Harold and Betty Ann Bishop of Maryville and Virginia Bishop of Goose Creek, S.C.

He was a son of the late Jacob and Hassie Peterson Hopson and was preceded in death by five brothers: Earl Hopson, Jay Hopson, Gene Hopson, Burt Hopson, and Ross Hopson; and three sisters: Angeline Hopson, Edith White, and Ellene Jordon.

The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home .

The funeral service will be held at 11:30 Wednesday morning in the funeral home chapel. The Rev. David Dugger will officiate.

Interment will follow in Andrew Johnson National Cemetery. A military graveside service will be conducted by the Greeneville-Greene County Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be Jake Denny, Stacey Lawing, Ryan Hopson, Danny Weems, Mark Britton, and Ronnie Hall.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Rev. David Dugger, Jimmy Scott, the staff and employees of Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, the staff of the 2600 wing of ICU at Johnson City Medical Center, and the staff and employees of James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at loc1067@sci-us.com