Raymond "Hoppy" O'Neil Hopkins

May 14, 1936 - March 22, 2017

Raymond O’Neil Hopkins, age 80, of Albia passed away on March 22, 2017 at his home under HCI Hospice care. He was known by many of his beloved family and friends as “Hoppy”. Ray was born May 14, 1936 in Davis County to Joseph and Nellie Mae (Bridgeman) Hopkins. Ray worked at the carnival traveling around the country. He loved horses and was a jockey for a time. He also worked on the railroad and Oak View Cemetery in Albia. He met and married Janet May Frits. To this union two daughters were born, Marcia and Ruth. Ray and Janet later divorced. Ray started working at “Cantax” Brick in Ottumwa in 1967 with his four brothers. In 1969 he married Terri Ream. To this union three children were born, Angie, Mark and Paul. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, driving around Albia (very slowly) checking out the action, watching horse races, playing cards, poker and 31 were his games, watching the kids sporting events and especially enjoyed watching NASCAR races, with his favorite driver being Jimmie Johnson. His real joy in life was spending time with his family and friends. Ray is survived by his wife, Terri Hopkins; his children, Marcia (Dan) Celania, Ruth (Richard) James, Angie (Tony) DeFlorian, Mark (Christy) Hopkins and Paul Hopkins; his grandchildren, Danielle (DJ) Huffman, Ian Celania, Chris Celania, Leah Raskie, Bryan Raskie, Nick DeFlorian, Emma Hopkins and Grace Hopkins; sisters, Rachel Diane Miller, Nancy (Ron) Fabert and Charlene Murphy; a brother, Joe Hopkins. He is also survived by many, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Nellie; his sisters, Patty Hopkins, Mary Ellen Wright, and Joy Bridgeman; his brothers, Harold Hopkins, James Lloyd Hopkins, Kenny Hopkins, Billie A. Hopkins, Ronnie Hopkins and Jim Lee Hopkins; and a brother-in-law, Tom Murphy. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Nancy Reed officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Service Chapel Cemetery north of Albia on Hwy. 137. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Ray’s family present from 6-8 p.m. to greet family and friends. An open memorial has been established to Ray’s family.