GEORGE E. HOPPER, JR.
1936-2018
George Edward Hopper, Jr. of Montgomery passed away on June 4, 2018 in The Woodlands. He is survived by his wife Pam, sister Paula, brother Larry, children David, Daniel, Tiffany, Mark and Amy, and eleven grandchildren.
Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, George earned his Associate of Arts degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College in 1957. He served our country with the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960 in the 25th Infantry Division. In 1962 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He later earned his Mid-Management educational certificate and Master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Houston.
Beginning as a middle school teacher and athletics coach in Texas City in 1962, George gave 42 years of service to public education, serving at several school districts before settling in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in 1972. In the Cy-Fair ISD, George served as a teacher, coach, assistant and associate principal at Jersey Village High School before opening Campbell Middle School, Langham Creek High School, and Cypress-Falls High School as principal. Under George’s leadership, Langham Creek High School was recognized as a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School in 1990, the first high school in the district to receive such a distinction. He went on to serve as Athletic Director before retiring in 2004. In 2007, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD honored George’s commitment to public education by creating and dedicating the George E. Hopper, Jr. Middle School in Cypress. In 2014, George was further honored as one of the 75 most influential people in the history of the CypressFairbanks Independent School District.
Upon retirement, George and Pam moved to Smith Point in Chambers County, where they became active members of the coastal community. They enjoyed time with friends new and old, and traveling across the American South, Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, and to Mérida, Mexico where they maintained a home. George’s beloved ‘first mate’ Pam was a true companion, particularly skilled at disentangling birdnests from his backlashed casts, and scanning the horizon for reefs and good fishing holes. As their family grew George and Pam returned to the Houston area, settling in the Bonterra community in Montgomery, where George continued his dedication to his children and grandchildren, offering loving support and gentle guidance to the former, and abundant affection to the latter.
George lives on in the hearts of the many he touched. With quiet perception, George seemed to know precisely what to say to and how to say it. Whether to celebrate a success, assist with a challenge, or motivate and inspire, George could reach students, colleagues, friends and family in ways that few could.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made towards the purchase of library books for students of the George E. Hopper, Jr. Middle School: Hopper Middle School Library, 7811 Fry Road, Cypress, Texas 77433.