Richard James Hopkins
1932-2004

A memorial celebration service will he held on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. at 
Hillcrest Mortuary Chapel in Bakersfield for former Bishop resident Richard 
James Hopkins.  The chapel is located on 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield.

Born in Bishop on Sept. 27, 1932, Richard died Aug. 28, 2004.

Richard was raised in Bishop and attended Bishop Union High School.  While in 
high school he was active in sports and band.  He was first chair trumpet.  Upon 
graduation from high school, he not only married his high school sweetheart, 
Laureen Platt, but also entered the Navy and attended the Naval Academy School 
of Music in Washington, D.C. and served his country in the Korean War.  Once out 
of the Navy, Richard and Laureen settled in Bishop, where they raised four 
children.

Richard began working for Safeway as a box boy when he was 16.  After leaving 
the service he returned to Safeway and worked his way up to store manager.  In 
1972, Richard was transferred to Bakersfield to run the Safeway store on Chester 
Avenue.  Richard worked for Safeway and Vons a total of 43 years before 
retiring.

He loved his family, football, fishing, and music.  He was an active member of 
the Chapel of Grace and served as their official "time keeper."  Best of all, he 
loved Jesus.

Richard will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and 
friend.  "As much as he will be missed, we know he is at peace and resting safe 
in the arms of Jesus," family said.

Richard was preceded in death by his son, Rick, and his mother, Doris.

Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Laureen; and his daughters and 
sons-in-law, Doris Lee and Scott Harmon, Beverlee and Scott Hurlbert and Joyce 
and Paul Glidewell; two granddaughters, Doris Lee Perez (and husband Peter) and 
Emilee Hurlburt; two grandsons, Gregory and Kevin Glidewell; one great-
grandchild, Ethan Perez; and brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Janeane 
Hopkins.

The Inyo Register
Bishop, Inyo County, California
Thursday, September 2, 2004 – Page A-2.

Transcribed by Laura M. Bybee for Inyo County GenWeb, 22 April 2005