Leon Vinton Hopper was born Nov. 20, 1936, in the Stony Point Community, located in Douglas County south of Norwood. He was born to L.T. and Cora (Anderson) Hopper. Leon passed away at his home on the farm less than a quarter of a mile from where he was born on Aug. 13, 2021, at the age of 84. Leon attended school at Stony Point and then Norwood High School. He married Alice Hawkins on April 5, 1957, in Mansfield, and it snowed that day. Four children were born to this union, Daniel, Deana, Teresa and Julia. Leon was a carpenter and farmer most of his life. In 1964, he moved away from the area for six years to Idaho. He worked at Ore-Ida Foods on the maintenance crew. Then he returned home. Leon worked hard and built several homes and barns, remodeled, and did repairs in the Norwood and surrounding area. Leon accepted the Lord as his Savior on Aug. 26, 1996, at his home. He was baptized on Sep. 1, 1996, in Bryant Creek at Vera Crews by Pastor Reg Kelly. He was faithful to attend church and enjoyed listening to preaching and singing. He enjoyed spending time with family and telling stories. He also liked to aggravate the grandkids. Leon enjoyed working on wood working projects to give to family and friends.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents, L.T. and Cora Hopper; infant brother and infant sister; sister, Joann Heard; and two infant daughters, Teresa and Julia. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Alice Hopper, of the home; son, Daniel Hopper, and his wife, Carol, of Norwood; daughter, Deana Gould, and her husband, Roger, of Mountain Grove; brother, Van Hopper, of Raymore; grandson, Jeremy Hopper, and his wife, Tiffany, of Mansfield; granddaughter, Jessica Maners, and her husband, Clyde, of Mountain Grove; grandson, Levi Hopper, and his wife, Sara, of Norwood; granddaughter, Chelsea Allen, and her husband, Keith, of Norwood; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends who will miss him dearly. Visitation for Leon Hopper was held Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, from 6-8 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Liberty Faith Church, Norwood, with Brother Dwayne Sparks, Brother Doug Irwin and Brother Jeremy Hopper officiating. Song selections were “Where The Soul Never Dies,” and “Hallelujah, We Shall Rise” sung by the Irwin Family and “When They Ring Those Golden Bells” sung by Courtney Stout. Danny Hopper, Roger Gould, Jeremy Hopper, Levi Hopper, Clyde Maners, Keith Allen and Adam Hopper served as pallbearers. Caleb Hopper and Benjamin Hopper served as honorary pallbearers. Burial was held at Oak Forest Cemetery with Reggie Kelly officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons. Services and burial were under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
