Funeral Service for Ralph Nelson Hopkins, 70, of Waubay, SD will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at 10:30 AM at St. James Episcopal Church, Enemy Swim, SD with the Rev. Charles Chan, Rev. Les Campbell and Lay Reader Vernon Cloud officiating. Pianist will be Billy Kohl. Pallbearers will be Jeffery L. Hopkins, Wayne Hopkins, Jeff N. Hopkins, Joel Hopkins, Randy Hopkins, and Rick Hopkins. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Ralph's Family, Friends and Relatives. Interment will be in the St. James Episcopal Cemetery, Enemy Swim, SD. Military Rites will be provided by the Brady-Monson American Legion Post #129 of Waubay, SD. There will be a Wake Service on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the St. James Guild Hall, Enemy Swim.
Ralph was born on September 25, 1940 in Sisseton, SD to Nelson and Hazel (Owen) Hopkins. He attended Waubay High School. He enlisted in the United States Army, on October 15, 1957 and Served until April 1, 1978. He served in the Special Forces in New Foundland, France, Germany, Korea and Vietnam. He received Bronze star with V Device with two oak leafs, Purple Heart, with 2 oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with V Device, with 2 oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with V Device with two oak leaf Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Medal and Overseas Ribbon. Following the service he worked at painting billboard signs. He moved to Vegas, and went to college at UNLV where he received a masters degree in engineering. He was hired by Borden Racing as an engine builder. Ralph was united in marriage to Jane Kirkoff in Feb. 1960. On February 3, 2004 he married Debra Cutshaw in Moapa Valley, Nevada. He went back to College and got a marine technology degree.
He worked at Echo Bay Resort on Lake Mead until his retirement. Ralph passed away on November 11, 2010 at his home in Waubay, SD.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Debra of Waubay, SD; three children, Rick Hopkins of Waubay, SD, Michelle Byrne of Las Vegas, NV and Jeff Hopkins of Copperas Cove, TX; two step children, Patrick O'Rourke of Cottonwood, AZ and Jessica O'Rourke of Las Vegas, NV; seven grandchildren and three step grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Arlan and Ambrose and one sister Bernadine.