Lexie "Red" Hopson

Lexie V. “Red” Hopson, 92, of Hamshire, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at his home. Red was born in Ringgold, Louisiana, on April 3, 1928 to John Colvin Hopson and Layla Jewel Sheppard. He was the youngest of nine children.

Red spent his childhood in Ringgold, Louisiana, before joining the Army in 1945 at the age of 17. In 1946, Red met Eva Marie Ayling and, after an extensive and exhaustive two-week courtship, they were married. Their marriage endured for over sixty years and resulted in four children: Pam, Leon, Jodi, and Suggie. Red and Eva made Hamshire their home in 1955, raising their children and instilling in each of them a love for their family, their church, and their community. He was blessed with a loving family and of this he was most proud.

After leaving the Army, Red began his lifelong career in the oilfield. He started as a roughneck, advanced to derrick man, motor man, driller, and pusher; and finally ended his career as an oilfield consultant. He worked for numerous companies throughout the years, and even created his own consulting company with his son. Red was the poster-child for the oilman–a larger-than-life “man’s man”–and there was no aspect of the oil rig that he did not master. He was a storyteller; a jokester; the “Happy Birthday” singer; the ultimate “candyman,” who always had sweet treats in his shirt pocket for the kids; and an avid deer hunter who continued to hunt at 90. He was Lexie, Red, Dad, Pawpaw, Uncle, Pawpaw Rouge, and Friend.

Red is survived by his children, Pam Hopson East and her husband, Mark; Leon Hopson and his wife, Michelle; Jodi Hopson Thewman and her husband, Bob; and Suggie Hopson Daigle, all of whom have remained in Hamshire; eleven grandchildren, Justin East and his wife, Mary; Alexia King and her husband, Kevin; John Hopson and his wife, Amanda; Chloe Hopson; Eric Day and his wife, Shannon; Holly Schramm and her husband, Gary; Brock Thewman; Alana Thibodeaux; Jarrah Hatcher and her husband, David; Hagan Daigle and his wife, Lyndsie Melanson; and Kelby Daigle; 20½ great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many, many friends…and we will all miss him.

Red is preceded in death by his wife, Eva; his parents; all of his siblings; and his son-in-law, Freddie Daigle.

The family would like to recognize the loving care and dedication of Phyllis German during the last several years, and also to thank his nurse, Sharla, and hospice caregivers from Kindred Hospice.

A gathering of Mr. Hopson’s family and friends will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 3, 2020, followed by his funeral service at 12:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Hamshire, 25304 Highway 124 under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Hopson Family Cemetery, 16498 Horton Road, Hamshire.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Hamshire, P.O. Box 369 Hamshire, Texas 77622 or the Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 153, Hamshire, Texas 77622.