David Allen Hopkins

Funeral services for Mr. David Allen Hopkins, age 72, of Lindale are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2011 in the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home with Bro. Byron Howard officiating. Interment will follow in the Damascus Cemetery with services under the direction of Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Directors in Lindale. David, husband and the love of Pam's life, a loving brother, dad, granddaddy and great granddaddy was suddenly taken home by our Lord on Tuesday, December 6, 2011. David was born on November 22, 1939 in Navasota, Texas. He was a descendant of the Curd family, one of Brazos County's earliest settlers. His parents were the late Jessie L. Hopkins and Myrtle Celeste Cobb Sadler. David grew up in Big Wells, Texas, attended Edgewood High School in San Antonio before graduating from Somerset High School. He served as an Electronic Technician in the United States Navy and later transferred to the Navy Reserves. David was an active member of Central Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas. David loved his Lord and was a prayer warrior of all those in need. David received his first associate degree in nursing from McClennan County Community College in Waco, later received his BSN from Texas Eastern University in Tyler followed by a Masters in Criminal Justice from U. T. Tyler. David began a career as a taxi cab driver and armored car officer of the law in San Antonio, Texas which lead to many tales. He was a self-made engineer working for major construction companies both within the states and overseas. Once he began his nursing career, he moved through the ranks of staff nurse to executive nursing. David worked as house supervisor at Doctor's Memorial Hospital in Tyler where he met his loving wife, Pam. He traveled to Saudi Arabia with Beck Arabia as a safety superintendent and also established a major on site dispensary for employee health care at the construction site. He served as house supervisor at East Texas Medical Center in Athens for several years, Chief Nursing Officer of East Texas Medical Center Pittsburg, Texas. David worked as a nurse for the State of Texas prison system in Rusk, and Huntsville, Texas. He went on later to establish the medical dispensary and staff in the privately owned Bradshaw Jail in Overton, Texas. David and Pam were both active in aviation as private pilots and ham radio operators where they shared many hours with friends throughout Texas. David was a writer and publisher. He was the author of Last Flight, a story about his heart attack in earlier life and survival. He has two books currently written which will be published. David was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Hopkins, Jr. (shortly after birth); and brother, Jack Hopkins of Houston. David is survived by his loving wife of almost 35 years, Pamela Clinton Hopkins; sister, Sybil Dunegan of Lindale; daughters, Davey Sue Hopkins Geagley and husband, Ben of Colorado Springs and Donna Sue Garcia of San Antonio; goddaughter, Micki Lindley Truman and husband Harlen; grandchildren, Brandi Hopkins Forsythe of Pennsylvania, Nick Hopkins of El Paso, Margie Garcia of San Antonio, Martin Hopkins of Houston; god grandchildren, Jackson Truman and Luci Truman, both of Lindale; great grandson, Benjamin Forsythe; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. David loved his pets and they gave him many hours of relaxation and support. He is survived by his most precious pet Little Daisy. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Hopkins, Brandon Clinton, Devearl Clinton, Matt Dunegan, Lonnie Layne and Harlen Truman. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, December 9, 2011 at the Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home in Lindale.

David Allen Hopkins

November 22, 1939 - December 6, 2011