A. A. "Lon" Hopkins Jr.

Bluefield, WV- A. A. Lon Hopkins Jr. of Bluefield, passed away January 11th following a short illness. Born August 5, 1927, Hopkins was a lifelong resident of Bluefield. He was a 1945 graduate of Beaver High School and held an Associates Degree in Accounting from McClain’s Business College. Hopkins was a World War II veteran having served in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division with the rank of Technical Sergeant. Following World War II he served in the United States Army Reserve from 1947-1950. Following his military service Hopkins was employed with First National Bank of Bluefield for 8 years and was a graduate of the local Chapter of the American Institute of Banking; serving as President of the Chapter in 1958. Hopkins would go on to serve as owner and president of Hopkins Insurance Agency in Bluefield, retiring in 1996 after 37 years of service in the insurance industry. He was a certified Life Underwriter and a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters. For 12 years he was a member of the “Million Dollar Roundtable” with Franklin Life Insurance Company and was a 3 year leading agent with Richmond Life Insurance Company. Throughout his life Hopkins actively served the community and region as a leading member of many service and civic organizations. He was a paid life member and Post Commander of the American Legion, Riley-Vest Post #9 of Bluefield. He represented Riley-Vest Post #9, at the American Legion Americanism Program at Bluefield State College’s “Center for International Understanding” giving talks on the history and meaning of the symbolism of the American flag. At the closing ceremony of the visiting business leaders of 21 “Eastern Block” countries, he presented each with an American flag, totaling 281 flags over a period of 3 years. He further presented programs on our flag to local civic organizations and in public school classrooms. In 2009 Hopkins was honored for his lifetime service to his country and the community as recipient of the Distinguished Citizenship Award, given by the American Legion, Riley-Vest Post #9 Among his other service contributions, Hopkins was a Past President of the Bluefield Jaycees and was named Jaycee of the Year in 1958. He also served as secretary of the West Virginia State Jaycees in 1961. He served as President of the Clover Club of Bluefield in 1977 and was a member of the University Club, Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, was a lifetime member of the Bluefield Elks Lodge #269 and was a member of the board of the Bluefield Sales Executive Club. He was a member of the Bluefield Lions Club beginning in 1963. He served 2 terms as President in 1979-80 and 2005-2006. For his efforts he received the “WV Leonard Jarrett Fellow Award” in 2005 and the “International Lions Club Melvin John Fellow Award” in 2007. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for 32 years and a member of Bland Street United Methodist Church from 1963 until his death, where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Staff Parish Committee, Superintendent of Sunday Schools for 12 years and as Head Usher. A dynamic salesman, world traveler and avid football fan, Hopkins is survived, by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie Aliff Hopkins and sons Stephen L. Hopkins of Grantham, NH and Dr. Christopher D. Hopkins of Clemson, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents, the late A.A. Hopkins Sr. and Lulu Pearl Robbins Hopkins as well as seven brothers and sisters. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home on Thursday January 14, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be conducted on Friday January 15, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. from Bland Street United Methodist Church with Rev. David L. Hall, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military graveside rites. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. A. A. Lon Hopkins, Jr.

A. A. "Lon" Hopkins Jr.

August 5, 1927 - January 11, 2016