John Hopkins, Jr.

The beautifully-lived life of John Henry Hopkins, Jr., of Kingfisher came to an earthly end on Oct. 25, 2025.

Born in a farm home near Cashion on July 16, 1932, he was the son of John Henry Hopkins, Sr., and Esther Viola Best Hopkins. He grew up on the family farm east of Kingfisher and attended a one-room rural school in that area through the eighth grade.

John spent his high school years at Kingfisher High School, graduating in 1950. From there, he ventured off to college at then-Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater.

He graduated from college in four years, graduating in 1954 with a degree in education, participating in intramural sports and honing his leadership skills as a part of the A&M Reserve Officers Training Corps (Army ROTC).

In exchange for a college scholarship, he owed the United States Army a twoyear commitment of service following college.

Upon graduation from Oklahoma A&M, John returned home just long enough to marry Gladys Jeanette Gilmour, the daughter of Glenn and Elizabeth (Bess) Gilmour, on Sept. 18, 1954. Their union lasted over 71 years.

Immediately, the Army called him and his new wife to Fort Benning, Ga., for training in the Officers Training Corps, from which he graduated with a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

Their first orders sent the young couple to Coleman Barracks, the Cold War base in Mannheim, Germany. There, John served his entire commitment to the Army.

John and Gladys gathered many fine memories and traditions in their time in Germany.

Returning home, John took his first teaching position at Duncan Junior High in Duncan. There he coached junior high baseball and basketball and taught science.

It was in Duncan that John and Gladys welcomed sons Kevin, John III and Russell.

While in Duncan, John received a fellowship from Bausch & Lomb Scientific to pursue a master’s degree in science education from Oregon State University.

So, the young family was off on a great adventure to the west coast. Upon graduation, John accepted a position at Willamette Junior High in Springfield, Ore., where he taught for two years.

But, in 1966, family responsibilities called him back to help his father run the family farm.

Upon his return to Oklahoma, John took a job in Dover teaching junior high and high school science. In 1975, he was hired at Kingfisher High School, where he spent his last nine years in education, retiring in 1984.

But retirement was too quiet for the ever-busy John – and he started Hopkins Services Corporation. In that pursuit he provided office cleaning and property maintenance, including lawn care, to residents and businesses of Kingfisher.

John was active in the Kingfisher County Republican Party, twice running to represent his beloved community in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

In his younger days, he loved playing softball on the Kingfisher Fast-Pitch Town Team and the United Methodist slow-pitch teams.

When he had the rare day off, you could find him on the Kingfisher Golf Course. He helped found the Kingfisher Kiwanis Club and served as a state Kiwanis vice president. He was active in Post 5 of the American Legion, serving multiple times as post commander.

He and Gladys have spent their lives actively attending and supporting the Kingfisher First United Methodist Church – teaching Sunday School, sponsoring the youth group and serving on multiple boards and committees within the church.

Living to 93, John was preceded in death by his parents and a host of friends and relatives.

He is survived by his wife Gladys; son Kevin (Tamara) of Hennessey and their children Kristen Davis (Dustin) of Townsend, Tenn., Kendra Lisher (Alex) of Oklahoma City, Erin Hopkins of Boston, Mass., and Braden Hopkins of Oklahoma City; son John III (Robin) of Ponca City and their children Kody Stark, Cameron Stark and Kylie Hopkins (T) and Kylie’s new baby daughter, Jeniper; son Russell (Teri) of Kingfisher and their son Matthew (Jamie) and their son Bo of Roseburg, Ore. – as well as a host of extended family, bonus grandkids and great-grandkids and former colleagues and students.

A service of celebration for the life of John will be 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Kingfisher First United Methodist Church.

Graveside military rites will follow immediately and all are welcomed to join the family for the celebration.

Services are under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.