Harry Watt Hopkins

Judge Harry Hopkins passed away April 23, 2004, after a life of service to area youth and the public. Born in Weatherford on January 22, 1927, the son of Irene and Clarence M. Hopkins, Judge Hopkins served as president of Weatherford Little League Baseball, chairman of the committee that secured the charter for Weatherford DeMolay and served as chairman of its Advisory Council. He was past president of Parker County United Way, Weatherford Noon Lions Club and Deputy District Governor of Lions International. He was a director of the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce and Optimist Club and a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Fort Worth. He was a former church school superintendent, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and member of the Administrative Board of Weatherford's First United Methodist Church and was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.He was a graduate of Weatherford High School and Weatherford College. While attending Texas A&M Judge Hopkins volunteered for duty with the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific Theater.After graduation from Southern Methodist University School of Law he served as Assistant City Attorney of Dallas, City Attorney, Mayor and Chairman of Weatherford's Utility Board. He practiced law for twenty years before becoming judge of the 43rd Judicial District Court for Parker County, serving thirteen years until appointed to the Second Supreme Judicial District Appellate Court in Ft. Worth. He retired from the appellate court in 1987 and accepted Senior Judge status and continued to serve several North Texas counties in that capacity until 2003. Judge Hopkins was a partner and later Of Counsel to the firm Law, Snakard and Gambill. In 1980 Judge Hopkins was named Weatherford's Most Outstanding Citizen, and in 1998 he chaired the Charter Revision Committee. He and the former Virginia Stone of Dallas were married for 52 years and have two sons, Steve and Craig. Judge Hopkins was at his happiest when working with others in making their community a better place in which to live. His brother Clarence Hopkins, Jr., preceded him in death, and is survived by his wife Virginia, sister Jane Makins of Dallas, sons Steve of Austin and Craig of Cedar Hill, several nephews and a niece.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The First United Methodist Church in Weatherford or the charity of your choice.