Donnie Hopwood

April 25, 1956 - August 16, 2021

Donnie Gene Hopwood, born Wednesday, April 25, 1956 at the Fuller-Morgan Hospital in Mayfield, Ky to Vodia and Norma May (Holmes) Hopwood, passed from this earthly life and into heaven on Monday, August 16, 2021 at the age of 65. He came into the world as the middle child of three, a delightful little boy full of black curly hair - weighing 8.2 lbs and a whopping 18 inches long. His name “Donnie Gene” was chosen by his mother, not because it was a family name to be passed along, but simply because she liked the way it sounded and it seemed to fit. He attended elementary and high school at Symsonia, and married the love of his life, Jean Ray in 1975. He was employed and committed to his job at General Tire Manufacturing in Mayfield for 31 years until his retirement in 2006. Donnie was a member of Trace Creek Baptist Church, yet at a young age he attended and was baptized at Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church, a small church located less than a mile from the homestead of which he grew up. He had a new home built in 1979 for his family, across the road from that little church on land owned by his father and mother. As a youngster, Donnie worked alongside his father and grandfather on the family farms and engaged in everything imaginable; from tilling the soil and harvesting crops - to attending farm animals, throwing dirt clods, eating watermelon, exploring the creeks and fishing. Lovingly known as "Dad" to his three kids, "Pawpaw" to his grandchildren, "Donnie Marie" to his Birmingham Point Family, and "Hunky Donnie" to nieces and nephews, he was sensible salt-of-the-earth fun and always made time for his four-legged side-kick Gizzy. When Donnie needed to stand his ground - he did so with a loud voice. When he needed to walk away - he did that quietly. He verbally expressed his love to his wife and to his children and grandchildren often, and dolled out hugs as necessary. Donnie was more than a tangible provider. He was a 6’ 1” imposing man; a strong, dedicated, loyal and determined man who adored his wife, inspired his children to go out into the world and conquer it with integrity, and was committed to his mother and father. He could never be classified as lazy or without a good work ethic; as he knew he had a purpose, and believed one should play as hard as he worked. Donnie not only had a love of the outdoors, but he loved horses and the pure joy he got from riding. He simply loved life and possessed a zest for adventure. Family vacations were always a blast, and holidays were the time for him to pick at those he hadn’t seen in a while, as well as giving out “tittie twisters” on any part of the body - to brothers & sisters-in-laws, nieces & nephews, and just about anyone else he thought needed it. If Donnie were to be identified with any fault, it would be the fault of memory - as his wife recognized soon after they started dating, his "remembering" was not the best and mostly selective - or so it seemed. When the date for their wedding was being discussed after his proposal, his soon to be bride suggested that they get married on his birthdate, and while he wasn't too keen on that suggestion - he agreed. Jean's purpose for that specific date was "So you'll remember when our anniversary is". Fortunately, for him, he remembered the anniversary for the entire 46 years. He also remembered to arrange for Misty to be presented with chocolate and balloons on every Valentine's Day as she was the only daughter. Donnie always instructed his wife to make the day special for Misty - oftentimes leaving Kyle a little grumpy when he found out about it because he didn’t get the same treatment. In reality, both David and Kyle were being presented with a variety of different surprises throughout the year of which Misty never knew. And while he delighted in spoiling his own children, he became even more of a pushover when his grandchildren came along. He truly was a good man - a good human to those around him; family and otherwise whether by accident or by purpose. Donnie fought a battle with a rare kidney disease for the past 16 years and sought treatment to minimize the effects of the incurable beast. Recognizing the importance of living life - while fighting, he and Jean spent most of their Spring and Summer Seasons at Kentucky Lake with their “Birmingham Point Family” until health complications ultimately made it more difficult to do so. He endured several different health related battles which required him to remain home and most recently endured open heart surgery. Rarely did he complain - other than to his wife - of the pain they both endured as a result of fighting his disease. Donnie is preceded in death by his father, Vodia Hopwood. He is survived by his mother, Norma Hopwood of the Sand Hill Community; wife, Jean Ray Hopwood of the Sand Hill Community; son and daughter-in-law, David & Dawn Hopwood of the Baltimore Community; daughter and son-in-law Misty & Lynn Lane, Fairdealing, Ky; son and daughter-in-law, Kyle & Betsy Hopwood, Symsonia, Ky; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra & Randall Burgess of the Dogwood Community; Debbie Brown of the Sand Hill Community; grandchildren, Heath, Michael, Tyson, Tevin, Tanner, Keegan, and Kinley; great grandchildren, Colby and Ava. Numerous other relatives and an abundance of friends also survive. The family will receive friends in the Chapel at Brown Funeral Home from 11:00 AM until the service time of 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 22, 2021 with Rev. Keith Allred officiating. Donnie’s children and grandchildren will serve the distinctive honor as pallbearers. Immediately following the funeral services, he will be laid to rest at the cemetery adjacent to that little Sand Hill Baptist Church of which he was baptized & married - down the street from where he was raised and his mother still resides - and across the road from the house he had built for his family. Most importantly - he will rest near his wife so he can bring some sense of comfort to her - until they meet both again. Donnie was a blessing and a gift from God of which can never be replaced, and the memories of his life and what he made of it will live in all of our hearts. We are all fortunate for having him and we look to the day when we too can reside with him in Heaven.