Paul Stuart Hopson was born March 9, 1921 in Lockesburg, Arkansas to Eugenia Frances Norwood Hopson and George Stuart Hopson and died October 15, 2010 in Midland, Texas. He lived a full life of 89 years.
A graduate of Hominy High School in Hominy, Oklahoma, he played football and basketball and served as class president for three years.
Following his high school graduation, he entered the Army Air Corps in February, 1943. After Cadet Pilot training, he served at the Army Air Corps base in San Marcos, Texas, training cadet pilots in flying and navigation. He honorably served the country during and after World War II in both active duty and the Air Force Reserves, retiring with the rank of Major after 24 years of service.
Paul obtained a B.S. in Geology from Oklahoma A & M University in 1949. Soon after graduation, he was employed by Gulf Oil Company and began his career in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He married Rose Belle Seely in Wichita, Kansas in 1953. He worked for Gulf in several offices including Tulsa, Pittsburgh, Bismarck, Billings, Denver, and Roswell, retiring in the Midland office in 1978. He worked for BTA, Bass Brothers and J.M. Huber until retirement in 1986.
He continued a lifetime of voluntarism, serving Midland Community & Senior Services and Meals on Wheels, particularly its annual Texas-sized garage sale in Midland. He also served as a docent at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. In 2004, he received the Golden Deeds Award by The Exchange Club of Midland in recognition of his contribution to the community through his volunteer work. He also served in various capacities in the Chevron-Texaco Retirees Association and volunteered in several of its community programs. An avid tennis player, he played throughout his life and thoroughly enjoyed working in the garden.
He was a long time member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Midland and the Keystone Sunday School class.
Paul is survived by his wife, Rose Hopson, a daughter Paula Hopson Mulay of Mesa, Arizona, son David Hopson and wife Mary Louise and grandson Stuart of Dallas, and son Kevin Hopson and wife Suzanne and grandson Samuel of Austin, Texas. A beloved husband and father, he will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Midland on October 18, 2010 at 2 p.m., with a reception following at the church.