Published: June 12, 2008 08:23 pm            

Vidor mourns loss of mayor

VIDOR — The Orange County community of Vidor was still reeling Thursday after the unexpected death of its elected city leader.

Mayor Joe Hopkins died Wednesday night at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont after being admitted earlier in the day and undergoing an emergency operation.

Hopkins, 64, was serving in his fifth term after being re-elected as mayor in May 2007. He is the longest serving mayor in Vidor history.

Ricky Jorgensen, Vidor city manager, has served with Hopkins for more than three years.

“Mayor Hopkins was truly an ambassador for the city of Vidor,” Jorgensen said in a telephone interview. “He led the city of Vidor and his goal was to provide the best quality of life for its citizens.”

Jorgensen said Hopkins spearheaded many projects within the city during his tenure, most recently the Sparrow Lane Park project.

Jorgensen also admired Hopkins for his friendly, courteous personality, whether it was in his daily dealings with citizens, council members or the media.

“He always treated people the way everyone should be treated,” Jorgensen said. “He was just nice and polite and very positive. A good man overall.”

Dale Madeley has served with Hopkins for the past four years and echoed Jorgensen’s sentiments.

“He was very much a hands-on type of person,” Madeley said. “He was easy to work with and will be greatly missed.”

Madeley said he did not know Hopkins as well as some council members, but could tell improving the city of Vidor was what made Hopkins such a special leader.

“There are so many projects he felt were important it is hard to single out just one,” Madeley said. “But our new city hall which is being constructed happened because of Joe Hopkins. I wished would could be around to see it when it’s completed.”

Hopkins, born in Taylor, Texas, was raised in Southeast Texas and lived in Vidor for the past 30 years. He retired from Gulf States Utilities as a Computer Analyst in 1995.

He graduated from Bellville, Texas where he was a football star, and then attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

A member of First Baptist Church in Vidor and Masonic Lodge #1286, Hopkins loved his community and served it faithfully in many capacities, including volunteer-work for the Vidor Lions Club, United Christian Care Center, hospice, Special Olympics, and more.

Hopkins tenure as mayor was not without its share of controversy, especially in December 2006 when a CNN program about cities with histories of racism aired and included information about Vidor.

Hopkins quickly leapt to the defense of his city, and appeared in a live broadcast with CNN’s Paula Zahn. He said Vidor was a changed town suffering from sins of the past and invited anyone to come to Vidor and find out for themselves.

A town hall meeting with Paula Zahn and CNN was scheduled, canceled, and rescheduled to the Jefferson Theater in Beaumont. Many in the community applauded Hopkins efforts, and, as quickly as the story made headlines, it vanished.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, at First Baptist Church in Vidor, with burial to follow at Village Mills Cemetery in Village Mills, TX at 1 p.m.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Vidor.

Hopkins is survived by his wife of 13 years Judy, his daughters, Nina Ruth Dula of Beaumont, Carla Folse of China, Texas, and Kim Jordan of Kirbyville, Texas, and his son, Chuck Davis of San Diego.

He also is survived by two brothers, a sister, and brothers Carl Hopkins, Jr. of and seven grandchildren.



Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com

        

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