Rufus Denmond "R. D." Hopper, Jr. passed away on October 29, 2022, in Huntsville, Texas.

R. D. was born on September 25, 1934, to Rufus and Lilla Mae Hopper in Huntsville, Texas. He married Margaret Sue Letts on April 7, 1955, in Huntsville, Texas and they had two children, Lloyd Wade and Nancy Marie Hopper.

R. D. graduated from Huntsville High School in 1953 and continued his education at Sam Houston State Teacher's College earning a Bachelor of Science Degree (1957) and a Master of Education Degree (1963). He taught vocational agriculture in Texas for many years in Huntsville, Brady, Jarrell, and Penelope. After teaching he worked for Equitable Insurance Company as an agricultural loan manager.

R. D. had a passion for farming and ranching as well as educating others about agriculture. He always loved spending time working on his farm and with his cattle. He not only shared this passion with his many students but with his grandsons as well. The success of his many students made him proud, and he continued to stay in contact with many of them.

R. D. is survived by his children Wade and Nancy, daughter-in-law Susan Hopper, Shania Springer, grandchildren Michael Wade Hopper and Landon Wesley Hopper, and sister Margie Ethyl Pegoda. He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Sue, his parents, Rufus and Lila Mae Hopper, and sisters Billie Jean Windham and Eula Margaret Ellis.

R. D was an active member of the First Methodist Church in Huntsville and served his Lord helping others.

A visitation will be held Friday, November 4th from 5pm to 7pm at Heritage Oak Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 5th at 10am at First United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Brooke Cemetery.

The family asks that you consider memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to Letts/Hopper Endowment Fund at Sam Houston State University Office of Advancement, SHSU Box 2537, Huntsville, Texas 77341 or First United Methodist Church of Huntsville Building Fund or the Inquirer's Class, 1016 Sam Houston Avenue, Huntsville, Texas 77320.

The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Creekside Retirement Community, Oasis Hospice, Devine Life Change, and Ray and Rhonda Crooks for the care and love extended over the past few weeks.