Jerry W. Hopkins

HOPKINS, Dr. Jerry, 84, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in Tulsa, OK. Born October 24, 1929 to A.P. & Ima Hopkins in Ft. Smith, AR. Preceded in death by his parents; and baby brother, James. Survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorene (Livingston) Hopkins; three sons, Steve of Tulsa, Stan, and Stacey, both of Jenks; grandchildren, Aaron , Adrian, Alyssa and Ashley, Braden, Beau and Brynlee; three great-grandchildren, MacKenzie, Charlie Ann and Brodie; two nieces, Edwina Peters and Nancy Roark; nephew, David Roark. He attended Ft. Smith Jr. College for one year, and Piedmont Bible Institute in Winston Salem, NC and then transferred to John Brown University. Upon his first night on campus, listening to her sing in the chapel, Jerry told his roommate, “this is the girl I’m going to marry”—he did so on September 14th, 1950 to Lorene Livingston of Noel, MO. Her parents, Mr. & Mrs. F. F. Livingston, also of Noel became his most loved “in-laws” and precious friends. At age 16, feeling a distinct call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, Jerry was ordained at Grand Avenue Baptist Church, Ft. Smith, AR. Preaching from age 17 til his death, he was known for his compassion, warmth, humor, and ability to relate to people of all walks of life. He later attended Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX and pastored churches there but came back to Siloam Springs, AR. Taking on a mission of the First Bapt. Church there with thirteen people and within the year organized into a fast growing Harvard Ave. Baptist where over 100 men were won to the Lord and baptized in one year. After seven years at Harvard and upon the death of his beloved mentor, Dr. John Brown, Sr., he was asked to assume the role of University Pastor and assistant to the President of John Brown University and to resume the daily radio broadcast of the John Brown Hour both in Arkansas and California. For fifteen years, he loved being the leader of college students preaching all over the U. S. in Youth for Christ meetings, civic clubs, high schools, churches and other events. He led music groups such as the The Sound Generation into places such as the Washington Prayer Breakfast, The New York Rotary Club, Disney Land, and Knotts Berry Farm, large gatherings across the nation. After 15 years at the University, he was invited to become part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) organization and special assistant to Billy Graham where he served for 22 years. In that time, he preached every Sunday and helped organize many churches. He took a leave of absence for four years to help rebuild Broadway Baptist Church in Sand Springs, OK returning to his first love of evangelism again with BGEA until he retired in November, 1992. But by December, 1992, he embarked on a new career as part of starting a new bank in Tulsa (State Bank ) which became Arvest. Again retiring from that, he began a Sunday morning radio show, The Sunday Morning Gospel Hour and for the next 17 years played gospel music inter-twined with his loved comments and sermons then from 7-10 AM every Sunday Morning over on KVOO FM. Once again, he retired to just being preacher to people everywhere. Until his last few months he still performed weddings, funerals, speaking engagements, etc. until he was no longer physically capable of doing so. Upon his death, his family has heard from hundreds of people with stories of their encounters with this most reverent , gifted man of God who now walks with his Savior in heaven having been greeted by “Well Done My Good & Faithful Servant”-Come and Be At Peace. Graveside will be 1:00 P.M., Friday, March 21, 2014 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs, AR. Memorial service will be 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Moore’s Southlawn Chapel. Moore’s Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

Jerry W. Hopkins

October 24, 1929 - March 19, 2014