THURMAN L. HOPPER, 79, of Winfield, Kansas passed away Saturday morning, October 31, 2009 at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.

Born August 21, 1930 in Canton, Ohio, he was the son of Frank and Faye (Neubecker) Hopper. When Thurman was a young boy, his family moved to the Grenola area for about a year, and then moved to Comanche, Oklahoma where he would graduate high school.

He was united in marriage to Donnie "Sue" Davidson in Comanche, Oklahoma on May 28, 1949. Thurman worked in various capacities in the field of Computer Programming, and his skills multiplied as computer technology evolved, ultimately earning him the title of Programmer Analyst for a number of years. He was employed by several large companies including Halliburton Services in Oklahoma, Welex Oil Co., McWood Oil Co., the Permian Corp., and Occidental Petroleum Co., all based in Texas. Sadly, he was forced to leave the computer field altogether due to health issues. He moved to Winfield in 1972 and returned to his first love, carpentry. He worked for a local lumber yard until he felt confident enough to open his own business, which involved roofing, painting, and remodeling home in the Winfield area. An unexpected economic recession forced him to give up his remodeling business, and he found work with Parman's in Arkansas City. With help from one of his brothers, he purchased a small magneto repair shop in 1973. Shortly after that, he built a new building nearby, where he continued to work until his death, buying, selling, rebuilding and repairing oil-field engines and accessories. He, along with his wife, Sue, owned and operated Hopp's Engine & Magneto Service for thirty years where Thurman worked every day, doing his best to serve his many loyal customers.

Thurman was a member of Millington Street Baptist Church as well as the AMA Model Airplanes Club. He enjoyed building and flying his model airplanes. He also enjoyed working on the cabin he built in Grenola more than 20 years ago.

He is survived by:
His wife: Donnie "Sue" Hopper of Winfield;
His sons: Larry Hopper and Alan Hopper, both of Winfield;
His daughters: Sheila Scott of Winfield; and Sherri Hasbrouck, currently residing in the U.S. Virgin Islands;
His brother: Kevin Hopper of Lovington, New Mexico;
His grandchildren: Darrell Ozbun, Sharla Arndt, and Danielle Hopper;
His great-grandchildren: Caleb Goosey and Elizabeth Arndt; and
Numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, Thurman was preceded in death by his two older brothers, Truman and Leland Hopper.

Graveside Funeral Services will be held on Thursday afternoon, November 5, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Grenola Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield on Wednesday evening from 5 to 9.

A Memorial has been established in Thurman's name for the American Heart Association. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.