Ronald M. Hopper, age 72, of Springfield, Oh passed from this life on Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Indu and Raj Soin Medical Center, Beavercreek, OH. He was born in Tulare, CA on February 13, 1946 the youngest child of Vivian LeRoy and Dorotha Mae Hopper.


The life of Ron Hopper is a tale to be told to future generations. It all began in the central valley of CA on his parents chicken ranch. Under the guiding hand of his parents and older siblings, Ron’s early years taught him the value of family, hard work and faith in God. He graduated from Mt. Whitney High School, Visalia, CA, in 1964. His father and brothers were all employed in trades of construction. He followed in their steps, quickly exemplifying excellence in mechanical aptitude and proving his natural abilities to build or repair virtually anything. He was a natural born leader, given responsibility to lead his first crew at the age of 18. He eventually worked as a Project Manager, leading crews which helped build the California Aqueduct, a critical part of the states water project and supply system. Later in life, he was co-owner of two companies, Gene Richards Paving Company of Fresno, CA and Interstate Wreck Rebuilders of Phoenix, AZ. In 1988, while working on a project for Martin Electric in Los Angeles, CA, he experienced a fall, resulting in a major back injury that ended with his permanent disability. This life circumstance created the need for change of location and in 1989 he relocated to New Caney, TX to be near his daughters. In this new setting Ron began to channel his energy into an old passion greater than his love for building. With diminished strength and physical limitations he began to give himself more fully to faith in God and God’s purpose. As a young man, he had served as Youth Director in his home church, Mt. Zion Apostolic in Goshen, CA. Ron never lost his love for youth learning about relationship with God. During this season he was an integral part of their building program as well, providing finances, materials and physical labor. In another season of life, while not active in church ministry, he sent financial support monthly to assist his niece and nephew who were planting a church in Chilliwack, B.C., Canada. This congregation is now well established and his nephew serves as District Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church Int’l of British Columbia, Canada. Once in TX, he and his wife Cindy joined membership with Caney Creek Apostolic Tabernacle in New Caney, TX and began to serve others. While there, they served in many roles. One of these was, once again, as Youth Director. Today he is remembered fondly by many adults (once youth under his influence) as a fun loving, caring, wise and guiding voice in their lives. Many say that had it not been for his belief in their future they would not be serving Christ today! Perhaps most visible, was his role in building a new sanctuary for the church. His tireless efforts and experience, along with the hands of many other committed people, left a lasting legacy that remains today for people to gather weekly in worship. Then in 2003, feeling “God Called”, he and Cindy relocated to Springfield, OH following Rev. Ken Dillingham and family to help plant and build a new church in the Dayton, OH area. Ron’s burden for building and passion for people helped to establish a growing assembly serving the greater Dayton area, known today as The Lifeway Pentecostals of Miami Valley. Here he served in any capacity needed until the time of his death. The massive hands of Ron Hopper were like a skilled surgeon in everything from reconstructing his daughter’s dainty broken porcelain teapot to constructing highway and building infrastructure. Relating to all things constructed, it seemed there was nothing Ron could not do or build. Beyond his love for constructing buildings, he had another passion; it was a love for building people! Scattered across the miles traveled and locations lived, remain a trail of men, women, children and families that attribute major values of life to his influence. Ron endured 30 years of surgeries, medication and health issues that seemed impossible to bear. Nevertheless, he awoke every day with the will of a warrior and daunting determination to live and make a difference. Today, we honor his memory and the legacy he left behind. We should all draw courage in crisis from his life example. He was a “man’s man” in every sense of the words. He pressed through pain, fought fears, conquered challenges and absolutely NEVER quit! His last 14 days of life were spent in the hospital, beginning in the Emergency Room and then to ICU. It was here, that once again his strength, resolve and determination to fight was apparent to family and hospital staff. In his own enigmatic way, through teasing and stubbornness, he won the hearts of doctors, nurses, specialists and staff. There was just something about Ron that drew people to him. He will be remembered as one willing to help anyone with anything, regardless of personal pain or sacrifice. He believed people were worth investing in. On the lighter side, he was a proverbial jokester, sarcastic voice, big brat and fun-loving friend to all.


Ron was preceded in death by both parents and one brother, Roy Dale Hopper.


He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Cynthia Hopper of Springfield, OH; Sister, Geraldine Wilkinson of Chilliwack, B.C., Canada; Brother, Harold Gene Hopper & wife of San Jose, CA; Sister, Shirlene Barnett & husband of Arroyo Grande, CA; Son, Ronald Daryl Hopper of Stockton, CA; Daughter & husband Susan and Stephen Hill of Kerman, CA; Daughter, Candace L. Hopper of Kerman, CA; Granddaughter & husband, Misti and Adam Wiley of Sparks, NV; Grandsons, Mark, Joshua and Jacob Hopper of Porterville, CA; Granddaughter, Cherish Hill of Kerman, CA; Great-grandchildren, Lucas and Mia Wiley of Sparks, NV. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances as represented by all here today.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 23, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Lifeway Pentecostal Church, 2446 Trebein Road, Beavercreek Twp., Ohio 45385. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 10:00 am at the church. Burial will follow the services at Byron Cemetery.

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