Robert M. "Bob" Hopson

Robert Melburn "Bob" Hopson II, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on Saturday, the 7th of October 2023, at the age of 81. Bob was born in Houston on the 30th of September 1942, to Harry Dickson Hopson and Alma Clark Hopson, the second of their four children.

Bob attended Lamar High School, where he developed many lifelong friendships, and graduated in 1960. He then attended Trinity University before transferring to the University of Texas where he became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Bob received his Juris Doctor degree and Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Houston where he was a member of the Order of the Barons and Phi Alpha Delta, and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967. After completing his education, the U.S. Army immediately sent his orders for Officer Basic Training in Augusta, Georgia, followed by his deployment to Giessen, Germany. Bob completed his military service as a First Lieutenant in the JAG Corps with the Military Police in 1969.

Upon returning to Houston, Bob joined the law firm of Vinson, Elkins, Searls and Connally (now Vinson & Elkins) in 1969, where he quickly established a reputation as a talented and respected specialist in tax law, foundations and nonprofits, and business transactions. He was admitted to partnership in 1975 and continued to specialize in this area of the law for many years, setting up many well-known nonprofit organizations and foundations in Houston, as well as establishing public trusts for several Houston families which continue today, benefiting higher education, health care, and the performing arts. Bob was a member of the Texas Bar Association. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, serving on the Corporation Tax Committee (Taxation Section), and on the Exempt Organizations Committee. In 1998, Bob joined Fayez Sarofim & Co. as Vice President and General Counsel where he remained until retirement in 2013.

Bob loved the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and was a lifetime member of the HLSR since 1978 and was proud to serve as a Lifetime Director. He was Chairman of the World Championship BBQ Committee from 1989-1991, after serving as a BBQ Committee Member for 42 years. He was also a member of the Parade Committee for eight years. He loved the goal of the rodeo, raising scholarships for youth, and he greatly enjoyed taking his grandchildren there every year. Some of his best friends were also rodeo members and it was truly his happy place each year.

For many years, Bob was an avid runner and he ran daily at Memorial Park, training for a marathon or just enjoying the outdoors. He had a special place in his heart for animals, and we had countless numbers of cats and dogs over the years.

In 2021, the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts honored Bob by establishing the Robert M "Bob" Hopson Artistic Initiative Fund as an endowment to the Alley Theater.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jane Elizabeth Hopson. He is survived by his wife, Carol Philips Hopson; his son, Robert (Bo) Melburn Hopson III; his daughter, Margaret (Talley) Hopson Gregg and her husband James (Jamie) P. Gregg; his four beloved grandchildren, Sloan Hopson and Bo Hopson IV, and Shepherd Gregg and Parks Gregg. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Hopson Dyer, and his brother, Harry Dickson Hopson, Jr. and his wife Patricia. Also surviving Bob are his nephews, Kevin Dickson Dyer and Trevor Blaine Dyer, and their families; nieces, Meredith Hopson Beaupre and Shaun-Elizabeth Hopson Dickerson, and their families; and Darby Wolcott Hopson, the mother of his children.

We also want to thank and acknowledge Mollie Jones, who worked alongside Bob for more than 35 years, as well as his wonderful caregivers during these past years of his declining health.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 6th of December, in the Hankamer Chapel of Second Baptist, 6400 Woodway in Houston, the Rev. John Barksdale is to officiate.

For those desiring, the family suggests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bob’s name be directed to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Center, 3 NRG Park, Houston, TX, 77054; to Houston PetSet, 4265 San Felipe, Suite 1100 Houston, TX, 77027; or to a charity of one’s choice.

Bob will be remembered for his intelligence, his quick wit, and his generous heart for all. He was the life of the party and he lit up the room when he walked in. We will greatly miss our father.

Please visit Mr. Hopson’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort an condolence may be shared electronically with his family.