Stephen "Steve" Hopkins

Stephen (Steve) Robert Hopkins, 77, of Midland, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at his home in Midland Texas.

The visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, June 9, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tom Long of St. Lukes United Methodist Church Midland, officiating. A burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Steve was born in Bakersfield, California, to Alfred A and Iola Iva Malcolm Hopkins on April 29, 1946. He went to school at South High School Bakersfield and graduated from Monterey High School of Lubbock, Texas. He married Karen Sue Turner on May 31, 1980, in Odessa, Texas. He attended SMCC in Santa Monica, California, and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam era as a radio repairman.

Steve’s first job was as a lifeguard in Bakersfield, California. He served as a full-service gas station attendant at Standard Station in Beverly Hills California, where he pumped gas in Elvis Presley’s motorcycle that Ann Margaret was a passenger on. In high school, he studied Russian and obtained his Amateur Radio license at the age of 14. He was also a clarinet player.

After honorable discharge from the Airforce, Steve returned to Lubbock where he worked for Gilbert X-Ray. In 1984 he founded Radco Imaging Sales and Service of Odessa Texas and worked until his death.

Ham radio, music and baseball were some of Steve’s favorite hobbies. Steve was an active radio operator in the Midland Amateur Radio Club for over 40 years. He owned an impressive collection of music that contained reel to reel and vinyl with selections of the Beatles, Joe Walsh, and Tom Petty. A favorite past time was to travel to MLB stadiums with Karen. During his travels, he attended 2 World Series Games. An additional fun fact, Steve was a member of the Beaver Bunch Chili cookoff team that won several awards for their chili.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Iola Hopkins; and brother, Philip Hopkins.

Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Karen Turner Hopkins; son, Michael Hopkins and wife Karen of New Braunfels; son, David Hopkins and wife Brandi of Cleburne; sister, Diane Sullivan and husband Paul of Mazatlan, Mexico. Steve has 7 grandchildren, Megan Jensen and husband Garrett, Nathan Hopkins, Nolan Hopkins, Stephen Hopkins, Kacie Jo Farrington, Trevor Allbright and Payton Hopkins; as well as 2 great grandchildren, Hadlee Ann Farrington and Eliza Sigrid Jensen; aunts, Velda Wilson and Emma Jean Goode; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of close friends.

Pallbearers will be Roger Rose, John Wilder, Alan Sewell, David Overton, George Robertson, and Brian Kirby.

The Hopkins family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Cindy Marriner CNFP, Dr. Ladha, Dr. Akins, Dr. Mangat, Dr. Beltran, Texas Oncology Staff, Dr. Cholia, Angels Care Hospice, Visiting Angels, Enhabit Home Health and Odessa VA-Dr. Awosemo.