SAMUEL HOPKINS

Samuel R. Hopkins, 91, of Bellaire, Ohio passed peacefully at Liza's Place, on Sunday January 3, 2016. He was the son of the late Samuel J. Hopkins and Wanda Zadinsky Hopkins.

Sam was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1943 during World War II. He was aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. Breckenridge DD149, and was promoted to Petty Officer 2/C Radioman from 1943-1946. He also served in the Korean Conflict aboard the cruiser, U.S.S. Salem.

Sam did not know a stranger. At the young age of 90, he loved jet skiing, windsurfing, and snow skiing, and would take it upon himself to teach anyone who wanted to learn. For this reason, he was dubbed the nickname "Surfin Sam" by all of the people he knew at Seneca Lake.

Sam will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we are rejoicing that he was finally reunited with the love of his life, Joanne, who he was married to for 65 years.

Sam was a great father and grandfather, whose heart softened over the years. In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by a sister, Florence Reed of Bridgeport. He is survived by: his three daughters, Susan (Stanley) Kaldor of Jacobsburg,
Jill (Craig) Allen of Bellaire, and Robin (Don) Tranovich of Bellaire; his son Jonathan Hopkins of Clarksburg, WV and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Heather (Chris) Hotlosz-Pieratt and son Trent Langland; Grant (Rebecca) Allen and children, Landon, Makenna, and Ellery; Garrett (Jeanette) Kaldor and son Gage; Tyler Allen; Chase (Brittany) Kaldor and children, Creed and Sloane; Kalynne Hopkins; Klint Hopkins; and Olivia Tranovich. He is also survived by a sister, Nancy Pressler and family; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Latham and family.

Private services were held at the convenience of the family at Toothman Funeral Home, St.Clairsville with military services and burial in Ebenezer Cemetery, Bethesda.

Memorial contributions may be made to Liza's Place, 308 Mount St. Joseph Road, Wheeling, WV 26003.