Clarence Hopper
Hopper
Clarence Darrell Hopper entered heaven on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. He was the youngest of eight children, born to Juanita and Ferris Hopper on October 2, 1947, in Maud, Oklahoma. He grew up in Maud, attended school there, and graduated from Maud High School in 1965. He worked pipelines with his brothers during his high school years, traveling the Midwest.
On September 15, 1984, Clarence and Mary were happily married, and he became her hero. Two families blended together to become a group of seven that would make many memories together.
In 1988, he started his own business, CMC Trucking, which stands for Clarence, Mary, and Children. He worked hard, and was able to add a bulldozer and backhoe to his Trucking Service. He paid off their new home and all their debts in 2014 so Mary would be taken care of, if something happened.
He loved his heritage, telling family stories, and wouldn’t miss a family reunion, if possible. Chandler Park Reunions were the greatest: lots of soda pop, rock-wall climbing opportunities, and many cousins to spend time with. He loved attending OCPAC in Oklahoma City and was the newsletter writer for the Maud Tea Party as well as getting conservative speakers for the monthly meetings. Faith strongly influenced his life. He and Mary attended the Church of God in Maud where he had many supportive friends.
Clarence loved collections, history books - true stories only - and pawnshops. He always took the grandkids to Kaboom. Although Clarence loved all these collections and took time for his town’s Agenda, there’s nothing that meant more to him than his children and all 17 grandkids: 4th of July cookouts, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even leading a family parade are some of the beloved memories. His favorite restaurant was Happy Hog and his favorite day was Independence Day. He loved to speak backwards like Uncle Glenn. Some of his favorite sayings include: “sad sack”, “Birthy Hapday” and “oo-do-too”.
Clarence left everyone a gift which was unconditional love and mentorship. He radiated it to everyone. He knew it didn’t take money to make a memory, JUST TIME. The world is a better place because of one of our favorite people who answered to many names: Clarence, Daddy, Poppers, Grandpa, and Hero Hopper. We love you forever.
Everyone knows he fought his battle with cancer with courage and strong determination. His faith in God gave him hope. In 2020, he had covid, pneumonia, shingles, and pneumonia a second time. In 2021, his kidney was removed. In January 2022, he was diagnosed with ALS, and in July 2023, he was heaven bound.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Wilford and Raymond Hopper, his sister, Ora Alice Glover and his son, Robert Hopper.
Left in this life with a heart full of good memories to cherish are his siblings: Juanita (“Tootles”) and Ted Phillips, Charles, John, Joe and Julie Hopper. His children: Laura and Rusty Ginn, Ed and Edie Hopper, Krista and Gerald Allison, Kandi and Rick Nagel, and all 17 of his treasured grandchildren: Emily, Mason, Jacquelin, Brooklyn, Decklin, Libby, Grace, Aspen, Ashleigh, Joe, Ben, Fisher, Brynleigh, Aubrey, Mackenzie, Sofia, and Kennedy.
Viewing for Clarence will be from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 21, 2023 at Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home, 104 E. Monroe Street in Maud, Oklahoma.
Clarence’s Celebration of Life will be July 22, 2023 at the Maud High School Gymnasium at 1:00 pm. 300 E. Young Street, Maud, OK 74854 (behind the High School, on right). A family lunch will be served at 11:00 AM at the Maud Senior Citizen’s Center, 301 W Main St., Maud, OK, 74854, prior to the celebration.
Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home.