Obituary of Thomas "Tommy" Elliott Hopkins

Thomas “Tommy” Elliott Hopkins, 77, of Lexington, KY, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 6, 2023, at The Willows at Citation in Lexington. The son of the late James Hopkins Sr. and Frances {Dunn} Hopkins, Tommy was born on October 18, 1946, in Abingdon, Virginia. The family moved to Radford, Virginia when he was 12. He graduated from Radford High School in 1965 and two years later received a diploma from New River Vocational Technical School.  He moved to Newport News, Virginia where he worked at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock and helped build the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier.  He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967 and was thrilled to be stationed on the Kennedy where he served as an aviation technician for four years and was a plank owner. 

He married his wife, Rita Davis Hopkins, in August 1970.  After his time in the Navy, he continued his education and received a Masters Degree in Technology and Administration from Appalachian State University.  During this time, his daughter, Meg, was born.  They moved back to Southwest Virginia in 1978 and Tommy taught electronics classes at Southwest Virginia Community College and in local industries.  For three consecutive summers, he was awarded fellowships with NASA Langley Research Center. Upon retirement in 2006, he and Rita moved to Kentucky to be closer to family. 

Tommy always enjoyed gardening, photography, genealogy, and model trains as hobbies; and was an avid water-skier in his younger years.  He was an active member of the Episcopal Church for most of his life and was a doting grandpa.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances, and his father, James D. Hopkins, Sr. and his brother, James D. Hopkins, Jr.  He is survived by his wife, Rita {Davis}, daughter Meg (Randy), and his three grandchildren, Abigail, Jackson, and Hannah.

Visitation will be held between 10 AM and 12 PM with the funeral service to immediately follow at 12 PM on Tuesday, November 14th at Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Home, 8461 Dixie Hwy, Florence, KY 41042. Tommy will be laid to rest at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North in Williamstown where military rites will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project by clicking here and/or to Shriners Children’s Hospital by clicking here. For directions or to leave an online condolence to the family, please visit the corresponding tabs on this page.