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In Memory

Turley Nathaniel Hopkins

Turley Nathaniel Hopkins

[Note: Turley Hopkins died in 2004 in New Mexico.  He was one of our well liked classmates from grade school through his junior year at SHS.  He was absent from our 1968 Merrimac yearbook, so he did not graduate from South.  He joined the Army in 1968 and served in Vietnam.]

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Turley Nathaniel Hopkins "Butch"January 18, 1950 July 10, 2004

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., at Hillcrest Memorial Park. 

Butch was born in Artesia, New Mexico. Although he lived the past few years in Farmington, N.M., he was a longtime resident of Bakersfield. Butch passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Butch served our country in the Army Airborne Division from 1968-1971. He was proud of his service in Vietnam. Butch came to California to be near his family.

He is survived by his daughter, Melinda Martinez; his son, Craig Hopkins; his sister, Wanda Pruitt and husband, Marvin; his sister, Judy Dunlap and husband, Rueben; his sister, Kay Webb and husband, Doug; 6 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. His parents preceded him in death. Pallbearers will be brother-in-law, Doug Webb and nephews, Albert Brown, Gary Burwell, Byron Pruitt, Gary Pruitt and Blake Webb.Butch left a lasting impression on anyone who knew him. He will be missed.The family would like to thank the local office of Odyssey Hospice for all there time and support.A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2004, from 4-8 p.m., at Hillcrest Mortuary.

Published in Bakersfield Californian from Jul. 13 to Jul. 14, 2004.

 
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04/17/20 04:02 PM #1    

James Reynolds

Junior, Sophomore, Freshman class photos of Turley Hopkins.

 

 


04/17/20 04:18 PM #2    

James Reynolds

The Jack Frost League Golden Lions in 1963 (57 years ago in 2020).  Check out the roster below.

Jesse Winters, Charley, Steve N, Turley, Eugene, Ray, JR and Steve F.  Not shown are Ron Hudson and Gary Plotner.

 

 

 


04/17/20 04:46 PM #3    

James Reynolds

Turley Hopkins and friends in 1957 and 1958.  Is that 63 years ago?  Thanks to Vicki Burke (Schallock) for remembering some of the names.

 


04/17/20 05:34 PM #4    

Vickie Burke (Schallock)

Fond memories of days and years gone by. Rest in eternal peace, Turley. 


04/17/20 06:24 PM #5    

Sharon Stephens (Bibee)

I am so saddened over Turley. He was a ”amazing soul”. We all grew up together. He was always smiling. I am sorry that we didn't know about his passing. We have lost a few from our neighborhood (or class).I bet you & Ralph Rangel are celebrating your new home in Glory.”Fly High our sweet friend”. Forever friends.  Sharon Stephens 

 


04/17/20 10:30 PM #6    

Linda Cox (Smith)

I met Turley in 3rd grade at the new Frank West Elem. We were both in Mr. Ament/Amenta's class. Turley was truly a nice person. 


04/17/20 11:49 PM #7    

James Reynolds

With a name like that: Turley Nathaniel Hopkins.  His folks must have had a sense of humor.

One of the easiest Ancestry searches I've ever done.  A lot different than Steve Smith, for instance.

People remember Turley as a genuinely nice person, even after all these decades.

The only other Turley I have ever heard of is Bob Turley, a pitcher for the 1950's New York Yankees.

Bless Turley Hopkins.  I hope he had a great life.  We all know that he played on one of the most famous football teams in history.

The kid had a great smile.


04/18/20 09:42 AM #8    

James Reynolds

Since Linda mentioned it, we decided to dig out the class photo of Mr Ament's 3rd grade class.

Linda is in the first row.  Turley is smiling from the back row.

I think I recognize a few others in this picture. A little help, here?


04/19/20 07:55 PM #9    

Dave Bell

This reminder of Turley's not being with us anymore hurts. Maybe I'm still as naive as I was in high school. I just expected that death wouldn't have overtaken away so many of our friends, and at times there memories memories too. Turley was a nice guy. 


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