Paul Melville Lowell Hopkins joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 25, 2020, three months short of his 100th birthday. Welcoming him were his parents, Reta Crosby Hopkins and Herbert Wallace Hopkins, his sister Faith Hopkins Lawry and his beloved granddaughter Faith Reagan Bush. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Sanders Hopkins; his children, Marilyn and Jim Isaminger, Trish and Mike Acton, Susan and Bob Suddoth, Dwright Johnson; nephews Clinton Lawry (Chip), Randall Lawry and Mark Lawry and their families; his loving caregivers, Lisa Carrington-Story, Tanisha Carrington Foster, and Carrington Home Care associates Barbara Black, Issis Dixon and Pelecia Pitts.
Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, Captain Hopkins, United States Army Air Corps, earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering at Northeastern University prior to his service. Following his separation and tired of the cold, he wandered south and landed in Birmingham, Alabama, building a career with Alabama Power Company in Power Supply. His most enjoyable work days were spent during Alabama Power’s hydroelectric power expansion, working on construction of Lewis Smith Dam, Holt Dam, Harris Dam and maintenance of the hydropower network. After retirement in 1986, he continued to devote his time to his family, church and community, swinging a hammer and lending his precision to building homes for his children Trish and Dwright, helping Habitat, washing thousands of dishes at the Firehouse Shelter, lending his bass voice to the sanctuary choir at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church and sharing his knowledge of electrical safety through The Energizers. A member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Chapter 53, he found many like-minded friends whose talents and fellowship he deeply enjoyed. His first blood donation to American Red Cross saved a life, and he went on to earn his 22-gallon pin at the age of 98.
Paul, Hop, Grampie, Mr. PM, Uncle Knucklehead was a humble and generous man who encouraged all who came within his sphere of influence, giving praise and also making it clear when one of us was being “just plain dumb.” He always had a ready smile and a great sense of humor, optimism and resilience that he passed on to his daughters. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, Edgewood Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Home for Children, Community Food Bank. A donation of blood would also honor his memory. Micah 6:8.
A formal service will be delayed due to COVID-19 concerns. Services in care of Dignity Memorial, Ridout’s Valley Chapel.
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