Hoppy Eric Heidelberg

April 22, 1940 - April 30, 2012 Hoppy Eric Heidelberg was born in Midland, TX to parents Woodrow Wilson Heidelberg and Eugenia Bell Heidelberg. Hoppy passed away on Monday, April 30, 2012, at his ranch in Blanchard, OK. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patsy Cooper Heidelberg of San Antonio, TX; two children, Houston and daughter-in-law, Sheila Wilkie Heidelberg, and Heather Heidelberg Gipson and granddaughter, Happy Rylan Gipson of Plano, TX. Also survived by his brothers, Wilson Elliott and Norris Lee Heidelberg; niece, Alisa and nephew, Brad, his wife, Becca, and 2 grand- nephews, Cal and Mac. Honorary pallbearers are first cousins, Nathan Heidelberg, J.W. Heidelberg, Haley Heidelberg, Sam Heidelberg, Tommy Heidelberg, and Jane Heidelberg Lang. Hoppy grew up in rural Midland county and attended high school in Andrews, Texas, graduating Valedictorian in 1958. He graduated from University of Texas, with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, in 1962; was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and then attended law school at UT. Hoppy also served in the United States Air Force Reserve in 1962 and 1963. His careers included Horseman and Breeder of Racehorses for over 40 years, Ranch Manager, Stockbroker, Banker, and President of Heidelberg Oil Company. He was a member of Mensa and Founder and CEO of Oklahoma Thoroughbred Breeders Association. His hobbies included Team Penning on cow-horses with friends and family, helping ranchers with cattle round ups, snow skiing, water skiing, jet skiing, and riding dirt-bikes. He was proud to have shown in the American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show to a Top 5 finish, and competed from 2000 to 2006 in the Team Pen America National Finals and finished Top 20 at the United States Team Penning Association finals. He served on the Murrah Building bombing Federal Grand Jury in 1995. He ran for OK State Senate in 1996 and Governor in 1998. He was active in the community of Blanchard, coaching little league football and baseball. He was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Wilson Heidelberg and his mother, Eugenia Bell Heidelberg of Midland, TX. Services will be held on Friday, May 4th, at 11:00 a.m., under the direction of Pastor Andy Finch, at the First Baptist Church, at 919 NE 10th in Blanchard, OK. The family suggests donations to First Baptist Church Blanchard's Extending the Legacy Building Fund, PO Box 370, Blanchard, OK 73010. For more information, contact First Baptist Church in Blanchard at (405) 485-2181.