Leroy Eugene Hopper

LeRoy Eugene Hopper, 74, of Bozeman passed away at his home on March 10, 2014 surrounded by his family. He was born August 21, 1939 in Vinton, Iowa to Lloyd and Lola (Fox) Hopper. LeRoy graduated from Washington High School in Vinton, Iowa in 1957. After high school he worked in the rock quarries in Iowa. He married Patricia Porter on July 29, 1960 in Vinton, Iowa. He attended barber college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. LeRoy and Pat moved to Montana in 1965, one month before their son Alan was born. He barbered in several shops until the late 1960s before being employed at Montana State University as a custodian. He worked his way up to Assistant Manager of events at Montana State University, including the Brick Breeden Field House, the Romney Gym and the Stadium. He retired in 1993. During his retirement, LeRoy enjoyed traveling, especially cruises to the Panama Canal and Alaska and to Iowa to hunt morels during mushroom season. He also enjoyed collecting tractors. Throughout the years he owned three antique John Deer tractors and two antique wagons. He enjoyed landscaping and gardening, as well as playing pinochle. He was also a member of the United Methodist Church and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Charles and Larry. He is survived by: his wife of 53 years, Patricia Hopper of Bozeman; two sons Scott (Sherri) Hopper of St. Ignatius and Alan Hopper of Bozeman; two brothers Jack (Patricia) Hopper of Vinton, IA and Terry (Pam) of Ft. Dodge, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com