Paul Thomas Hopper

Paul Thomas Hopper, Sr., “Paul Tommy” of Ontario passed away and returned to his heavenly home on December 17, 2019. He was born October 1, 1931 in Wetumka, Oklahoma. Ever an Oklahoma Sooner fan, when he hit high school, he moved with his parents to Eugene, Oregon where he became a “Miller” at Springfield High. Paul was drafted into the Navy and fought in the Korean War with his brothers and sisters in arms serving on the USS Mispillion. Following his service in the Navy, he returned to Eugene. In the early 1970s he and his wife Joanne moved to Fruitland and later bought a 160 acre farm off of Imperial Avenue in Nyssa where Kelly and David grew up. They spent years raising horses, cows and alfalfa and provided a place for friends to pheasant hunt and enjoy the view of the valley. Paul spent most of his career working for Murakami Produce as the Plant Manager. He grew to love all those he worked with. Paul was known to hire high school students in need of income and having them provide regular grade reports, so he could make sure they were keeping up in school. He was an amazing man and was a great example of charity to all. Paul anonymously sponsored countless students, athletes and families over the years to do his best to provide opportunities to those who would otherwise not have been able to participate in sports or other activities. He loved the sport of baseball and was a loyal New York Yankee fan. Together with Rick Bauman and Veryl Harrison, Paul founded the Treasure Valley Stars Legion baseball program. Their vision was to create a dominant baseball program with skilled athletes from surrounding schools. More than thirty years later, the Stars are still thriving. Paul picked up the game of golf again in the early 90s and loved to golf with his son David. He also loved to support and spend time with his grandkids, traveling to games, softball and baseball tournaments and sharing his pride in them and their accomplishments. During the last ten years Paul met and developed a special relationship with Suzie Nishihara and they brought each other a great deal of happiness and love. Paul was the last of his nine siblings to pass away and was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Clola, sisters Lula and Lahoma, brothers Kenneth, Roy, Tracey, Clifford, Bobby Joe and Jerry Don, and his son Paul Thomas Hopper Jr, and grandson Paul Thomas Hopper lll. He is survived by his children Cindy Korstad, Portland, Kelly (Frank) Jordan, Westfall, and David (Rachel) Hopper of Troutdale; his grandchildren Jason and Nick Korstad of Portland, Karlee (Jay) Long, Jackie (Jerren) Larimer, Shayna and Cassie Jordan of Westfall, and Erika, Ethan and Emree Hopper of Troutdale. Paul is survived by his two great grandsons Grayson Paul Lang and Jaton Long. He is also survived by his dear friend Suzie Nishahara. A celebration of life will be held on January 18, 2020 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at the Ontario LDS Stake Center located on NW 4th Avenue. Arrangements  are under the direction of the Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel Ontario.

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