Larry Ray Hopper

Larry R. Hopper, teacher, chemist and landscaper, died at his home, his loving wife of 66 years at his side, on Thursday, July 17, 2025. He was 89.

A resident of Kissimmee, Florida, Mr. Hopper was born on November 14, 1935, to Oscar C. and Evelyn S. Hopper (nee: Kipping), in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A graduate of Southeast Missouri University, Mr. Hopper received a B.A. in Secondary Education. Mr. Hopper was also a graduate of Officer Candidate School and entered the United States Navy as an Ensign.

Mr. Hopper married the love of his life, Shirley (nee: Rogers) on December 27, 1958. They resided in San Diego, California, where Mr. Hopper served aboard the U.S.S. Prairie, in the Pacific theatre. Mr. and Mrs. Hopper returned to Cape Girardeau after Mr. Hopper was assigned to a tour of duty in Japan and other areas in the South Pacific. After four years of active duty Mr. Hopper served six years in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Mr. and Mrs. Hopper were blessed with three children, Larry, born in 1959, Jeffrey, 1960, and Melissa, 1962.

Mr. Hopper taught 7th grade science before returning to S.E.MO where he received a B.S. in Chemistry. Employed by the Petrolite Corporation, in St. Louis, Missouri as a research and development chemist, Mr. Hopper was awarded two U.S. Patents for self-emulsifying fire-fighting agents. A career opportunity took the family to Kissimmee, Florida where Mr. and Mrs. Hopper have resided since 1977. Mr. Hopper also created and successfully ran a landscaping business for many years. His clients will remember him as a creative, friendly, dedicated and honest professional. Many of them will remember him as a friend.

Mr. Hopper's interests were many and varied. He completed numerous electronics courses, possessed a vast knowledge of numismatics, was an avid reader, gardener and was active in naval reunions. Mr. Hopper was a member of the Lutheran Church. A life-long learner, he often said that one never stops learning until they die. Mr. Hopper was well known for having a strong sense of duty, ethics and pride in his family and country. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Mr. Hopper is survived by his wife, Shirley, children, Larry (Chris), Jeffrey, and Melissa (Marshall), grandsons, William, Zachary and Marshall, brothers, Ronnie and Don (Carolyn), nephews Doug (Bonnie), Steve (Sarah), Tim, Scott (Mendi) and Chris, and a niece, Sheila (Bob).

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Grissom Funeral Home, in Kissimmee, Florida. A reception will be held immediately following the service, at the Hopper residence.