Ralph LaVern Hopping

Ralph LaVern Hopping peacefully went into the arms of Jesus on November 11th, 2025 at Colorow Care Center surrounded by family.

Ralph was born on Sunday July 5th, 1936 to Webb and Josephine (Jackson) Hopping.Ralph was the youngest of five- four brothers and one sister. Ralph’s father passed when he was three years old, his older brothers Joe and Francis gladly served as father figures to Ralph. When Ralph was five years old his family moved to the family farm outside of Olathe where he would later live until his passing.

The Hopping brothers were often found farming, milking cows, gathering eggs, and secretly brewing home-made wine that was known to cause gastrointestinal distress to those who were brave enough to drink it.

Ralph was a hard worker from an early age and did whatever he could to take care of his family. When he was a young boy he would gather and sell silk from milk weed pods that were used for sleeping bags for soldiers during the war.

He graduated from Olathe High School in 1954 and was voted Prom King his senior year, not to anyone’s surprise. He proudly served his country through service in the United States Army as a member of the Military Police. Ralph often shared many fond memories of his time stationed on Scofield Army Base Oahu, Hawaii.

After his departure from the Army, Ralph began his hard rock mining career in Silverton and Ouray, Colorado working in several of the area mines. He was quite the rock hound and shared that hobby later with his great grandsons.

In 1967 he married Barbara Wolverton with whom he shared two children- Valerie and Richard. Ralph enjoyed sharing his love of fishing and the outdoors with his children, and later, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He truly always took the road less traveled by taking shortcuts on most road trips and even during a trip to the top of Engineer Pass surpassing all switchbacks in his trusty Willy’s Jeep which nearly didn’t make the summit.

In addition to his mining career, Ralph took up the family trade and began farming. He would travel throughout Western Colorado on the weekends with his family in tow selling his produce including his famous tomatoes, Pontiac potatoes, and “organic” sweet corn. When he wasn’t working and peddling his bounty, Ralph could be often found barbecuing his famous BBQ chicken and steaks.

Everyone who knew Ralph loved him. He greeted all with a warm smile which was often accompanied by one of his famous jokes and one-liners lovingly referred to by his grandchildren as “grandpa-isms”. Ralph’s larger than life personality and witty sense of humor was preserved until the end. Shortly before he passed he was still cracking jokes and entertaining his visitors.

He was preceded in death by his beloved brothers Joseph, Francis, and Don Hopping and his sister Grace who tragically passed far too early in childhood, his mother Josephine and father Webb.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Hopping, his children Valerie (Mike) Hartzel and Richard (Lorie) Full, grandchildren Rebecca, Andrew, Heather, Candace, Sarah, and Savannah. Great Grandchildren Alex, Triston, Dawson, Colton, Gabriella, Bryssa, Aubree, Jeordie, Donovan, Jaiden, Logan, Korbin, Cassidie, Breeonah, Skylah, Caleb, Lexi, and Trenton. As well as three great-great Grandchildren.

Ralph’s legacy of hard work, dedication, and dry humor will live on through all who have been lucky enough to know and love him.

Ralph’s family would like to offer their deepest gratitude to Hope West Hospice and Colorow Care Center for the care provided during his last days. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hope West in his name.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory. Services will be held at a later date that will be announced by the family.

Until we meet again, as he would say- “glad ya got to see me”.