Obituary of Harry J. Hopkins

Harry James Hopkins, age 91 died on July 29, 2013. Born and raised in Malaga, son of Harry W. and Margaret (nee Richman), Harry lived in Pitman since 1951. From 1941-1946, Harry served in the US Navy during World War II on the USS Squire. He worked in Jackson Lab for EI DuPont in Deepwater over 40 years, retiring in 1981 as Senior Laboratory Technologist. Harry was an active member of the Pitman United Methodist Church where he was involved in many roles such as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Chair of the Worship Committee, Trustee, Layman to the Annual Conference and Co-Chair of Family Ministries. Harry helped start the Church Library and also served on the Finance Committee, Council on Ministries, Missions, Staff Parish Committee and Administrative Board. He was a proud Eagle Scout and later became a scout master. In 1992 he received the Scout Service Award for Outstanding Service to Youth. In addition to being active in his community, Harry enjoyed archeology, photography and traveling. He traveled to all 50 states in addition to many different countries. Harry also took several missions trips to Mexico and Florida after Hurricane Andrew. He was an avid Phillies fan and enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles with his grandkitty Lizzie at his side. He was predeceased by his wife Ruth (nee Evans) and his brothers Fred and Calvin Hopkins. He is survived by his children Karen B., John B. (Nha) and H. James Jr. (Debbie), adopted daughter Joyce R. Rigdon, grandchildren Jeffrey, Evan, Anna, Drew, Ethan, Julia, sisters Dorothy Hopkins and Ada Mae Mander and sister in law Joann Hopkins, nephews Bob and Larry Mander, niece Nicole Hopkins and his grandkitties Lizzie and Reggie. Friends may greet the family on Thursday 11-12:45pm in the Pitman United Methodist Church, 758 N. Broadway, Pitman, NJ. Funeral service will be at 1pm. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the Pitman United Methodist Church, 758 N. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.