Kenneth "Hoppy" Wayne Hopkins

Kenneth “Hoppy” Wayne Hopkins, 91, of Odessa, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Ralph O Jones Funeral Home 306 S. Second Street Odessa, MO 64076 A graveside service will immediately follow at 12:15p.m., at Odessa Cemetery in Odessa, MO. Memorial are suggested to Long Branch Church. Memories and condolences may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524.

Hoppy was born on February 17, 1935, in Urich, Missouri, to Clarence B. & Wilma E. (Powers) Hopkins. On February 14, 1960, Hoppy married Lennie Carol Richardson from Keytesville, Missouri. She preceded him in death on October 7, 2024. He attended the first grade at Brushy school in Johnson County, then went for four years to Ebenezer School and three years at Chihuahua in Lafayette County. Hoppy graduated from Higginsville High School Class of 1953. In his teenage years he worked in several hay fields. On November 5th, 1955 he went to work for Fisher Body General Motors in Kansas City, Missouri. Hoppy retired in 1985 from General Motors Corporation, Leeds Assembly Plant. Hoppy is a member of UAW 93. He was a Reserve Odessa Missouri Police Officer for 25 years. Hoppy drove an Odessa School bus for two years. A volunteer Odessa Ambulance driver for two years. He also worked at Whistle Stop part time for sixteen years. In addition to his lifelong career, Hoppy indulged his love for the outdoors by hunting and tinkering around on his farm.

Hoppy is survived by a son Jeffery Zane Hopkins and his wife Joan and a daughter Bonnie Jane Ray; five grandkids, William Cody Hopkins and wife Amy, Travis Hopkins and wife Kayle, Caleb Hopkins, Justin Ray, Elizabeth Noser and husband Alex; four great-grandchildren, Holden Noser, Finnegan Noser, Jazlyn Hopkins, Paisley Ray and several step-great grandkids, Maria, William, Joseph, and Jasper.

Hoppy is preceded in death by his parents, and loving wife, and his only sister; Alma Louise Watson.