Darrell R. Hopps

Darrell R. Hopps, 84, of Senecaville, passed away Sunday (July 16, 2023) at 10:45 p.m. at Genesis.

Darrell was born August 28, 1938 in a small family home in Byesville, before his family relocated and settled in Pleasant City.  He graduated in 1956 from Pleasant City High School, as one of only two boys in a graduating class of nine.  His greatest memory was joining the school’s basketball team to win the State championship.

Darrell wanted to see the world beyond Guernsey County, so he tricked his mother into signing a permission slip to join the Navy at the age of 17.  He served for four years before returning home and starting a family.  He worked a few construction jobs, worked a stint at RCA and Champion, as well as working as a coal miner, before realizing he missed his true calling.  He returned to the US Navy in the late 1970’s, retiring in 1991 as a Chief Petty Officer after serving in Desert Storm.

After the Navy, Darrell returned home to Guernsey County with his wife, Patricia, and their two children.

Hoppy, as he was lovingly referred to, enjoyed being a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Pleasant City United Methodist Church, and a founding member of the Guernsey/Noble Beekeepers Association.

In his retirement from the Navy, he served the communities’ veterans for just over a decade as a Veteran Service Officer, where he proudly fought for service claims for his fellow veterans.

Darrell also thoroughly enjoyed his hobby farm where he raised chickens, sheep, rabbits, ducks, goats, and bees.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Lucille Landefeld; his father, James Hopps; and his beloved stepmother and friend, Rosetta Hopps.

Darrell leaves behind his wife, Patricia (Pappas) Hopps, whom he married June 27, 1980; his children, Tammy Iverson of California, Kimberly (Bill) Kyser of Byesville, Jo Ann (Harvey) McMahan of Zanesville, Jenny (Bobby) Opal of Georgia, Darrell Hopps II of Florida, and Jamie Hopps of Byesville.  He also leaves his sister, Nancy Bell; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a twenty-year-old border collie who he loved dearly, Laddie.

Visitation will be held Sunday (July 23, 2023) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Black-Epperson Funeral Home, Byesville, where a Masonic service will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Black-Epperson Funeral Home, Byesville, on Monday (July 24, 2023) at 11 a.m. with Evan. Woody Biggs officiating.

Burial will be at Senecaville Cemetery, with military graveside honors conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Darrell’s name to The Salvation Army, 221 Dewey Avenue, Cambridge OH 43725; or to Feed My People, PO Box 151 - 1101 Steubenville Avenue, Cambridge OH 43725.

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