Obituary of Gus Freddie Hoppens

Gus Freddie Hoppens passed away at home on February 5, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Herman Hoppens, his mother, Minna J. Kamp Hoppens, his sister, Elly Louise Wells, his brother, Charles Herman “Junior” Hoppens, his beautiful wife of 69 years, Maxine Pennington Hoppens, and their son, Marc Edmond Hoppens. He is survived by daughter-in-law, Colleen Mack Hoppens, daughter, Amy Hoppens Schweers and her husband, Marty Schweers, daughter, Molly Hoppens, grandchildren, Matthew Hoppens, Lena Hoppens, Benjamin Schweers, Brad Schweers, and Brooke Schweers, great-grandchildren, Claire Willbanks, Kinsey Hoppens, Nolan Schweers, and Luke Cowles, his sister, Bea Click and her husband, Bill, and his brother, E.P. “Buzz” Hoppens and many nieces and nephews that loved him. Freddie was born in Giddings, Texas on November 13, 1926. He started school with his sister Elly in the fall of 1932 when he was almost 6. He was too young to go to school but the teacher provided a desk for him. He and Elly really did walk 2 miles to school. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1944. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944, serving two years aboard the US William P Biddle. He met Maxine Pennington in 1946 as she was walking down N. Blackwell Street in Pasadena, Texas. He was sitting on his parents’ front porch. It was love at first sight. They married in February of 1948 and were married 67 years when the love of his life passed away. They had three children, Marc, born in 1955, Amy, born in 1956, and Molly, born in 1959. He attended night classes at the University of Houston for 20 years, working on his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He stopped attending classes when children were born, when money was tight, or when the union went on strike. He proudly graduated in 1968. He began his working life in 1943 at a local grocery store. He then served in the Navy before starting his real career. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, for five years and the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 31 for 38 years. After retiring from the elevator construction business in 1989, he worked for Southern Display, beginning in 1989, building and creating displays for businesses such as Schlumberger for use in conferences such as the Offshore Technology Conference. He later worked for his best friend and cousin, Robert Hoppens at Lone Star Exhibits and traveled worldwide with displays he built. He finally quit working for a paycheck in 2008; a working life of 65 years. He was a devout Christian in the Lutheran Church, actively serving and ministering in numerous capacities. He was a loving and faithful husband and father. He was a dedicated and hard worker his entire life. Whether at work or hobby, he was always busy. He loved his country and served proudly during World War II. He never met a stranger and was always there to help anyone in need. And above all, his faith in the Lord never wavered. Visitation for Freddie will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581. Funeral Services will be held at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 5515 Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581 on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. If so desired, donations may be made to Epiphany Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice in Freddie’s name.