Richard Dee Hopkins, 84, of Oakland City, IN died at home March 14, 2017.

He was born July 1, 1932 in Evansville, IN to Dee and Mable (Garrison) Hopkins of Oakland City.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Nina (Hopkins) Cansler.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Carol Gwen Hopkins of Oakland City, IN; his brother, Arvin M. (Mary) Hopkins of Mooresville, IN; five children Sabrina Morgan of Oakland City, IN; Deidre (Steve) Mills of Winslow, IN; Kenya (Monty) Parke of Oakland City, IN; Shon Hopkins of Princeton, IN; and Twyla (Kyle) Arnold of Westfield, IN; thirteen grandchildren Jason (Natalie) Mills of Winslow, IN; Justin (Kira) Morgan of Francisco, IN; Kyle Mills of Petersburg, IN; Brittany (Lance) Johnson of Clinton, UT; Keela (Ian) Smith of Syracuse, UT; Derek Morgan of Oakland City, IN; Karley (Jon) Holt of Nebo, Ky; Jaycee (Kendall) Wittmer of Odon, IN; Laramy and Darian Parke of Oakland City, IN; and Bridget, Alex and Susanna Arnold of Westfield, IN; and six great grandchildren Jaylon and Brailey Mills of Winslow, IN; Raylan Morgan of Francisco, IN; Raylan Mills of Petersburg, IN; and Ace and Xander Smith of Syracuse, UT. And numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Richard was a 1950 graduate of Oakland City High School. He joined the United State Marine Corp. in 1952 and served as Buck Sergeant. He was a weapons instructor at Parris Island, SC prior to being deployed to Japan. He completed his tour at Kaneohe Bay Base in Oahu, Hawai’i. He returned home from the Marines in 1955 to farm with his father. He retired from farming in 1997 having farmed for 41 years and served as a salesman for Liquid Fertilizers for 10 years. He was a member of Forsythe United Methodist Church in Oakland City, IN. In his retirement he served on the Cemetery Board at Forsythe. He enjoyed harvesting a large garden, outdoor work and traveling. Richard was very proud of being a third-generation farmer in Gibson County. Over the years he purchased 140 acres from his father, uncles and grandfather that made up the Hopkins Homestead. This land is honored with three Hoosier Homestead Awards from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The award recognizes Indiana's rich agricultural heritage, by honoring families with farms that have been owned by the same family for 100, 150 or 200 years or more. On August 4, 2015, Richard and Gwen donated 41 acres of the Hopkins Homestead to Gibson County to create the first county park. As the project takes off, they plan to donate 160 additional acres to expand the park with the goal of providing wholesome recreation, rural education and leisure activities for all ages. 

Services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday March 17,2017 at the Forsythe United Methodist Church with burial in Forsythe Cemetery. Rev. Kristi Calhoun will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday at Lamb-Basham Memorial Chapel and from 8:30 A.M. until services on Friday at the Church.