John Henry Hopkins, Jr., and Gladys Jeannette (Gilmour) Hopkins celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

John and Gladys were married Sept. 18, 1954, at the Kingfisher First United Methodist Church by Rev. R.A. Anderson.

Their parents were Esther and John Hopkins, Sr., of Reeding and Elizabeth (Bess) and Glenn Gilmour of Kingfisher. Gladys’ mother, Elizabeth Gilmour, would often recall how unseasonably hot the clear 95-degree day had been in the days before air-conditioning.

Attending the couple that day were maid of honor Roberta (Christian) Foster, along with bridesmaids Mona (McLarty) Hoehner, Joyce (Hill) Feagins, Shirley (Struck) Smith and Peggy (Francis) Reherman.

Best man was James Foster and John Gilmour was a groomsman.

Following the wedding, John and Gladys prepared for John’s upcoming deployment with the United States Army to Mannheim, Germany.

After serving his commitment to the Army, John and Gladys returned to the U.S. where John took a job teaching science in Duncan. Gladys served as a receptionist for local physician, J.P. Keller, M.D.

While in Duncan, they lost a daughter, Kimberly Jo, and welcomed three boys – Kevin, John and Russell.

Graduate school for John took the family to Oregon for four years after which they returned to live in Kingfisher and manage the Hopkins farm.

John and Gladys both took jobs working for Dover School – him teaching science and Gladys as principal’s secretary and then superintendent’s secretary.

After six years in Dover, John took a position as biology, chemistry and advanced sciences teacher at Kingfisher High School while Gladys became the high school principal’s secretary.

They kept these positions until retirement in 1985.

Their lives were full and busy with raising three boys, working the farm, professional lives, being an active part of the congregation at Kingfisher First United Methodist Church, members of the Farmer’s Co-op, the Kingfisher County Republican Party and a bridge club made up of their childlhood friends from the Big 4 and Kingfi sher area.

Their retirement years have been full of continuing volunteer work, gardening, church and golf.