In celebration of Lewis Black Hopper of Barbourville, Kentucky.
On March 1, 2025, surrounded by his family, Lewis caught the 5:03 to Heaven and safely arrived at his destination. He was 79. Born on August 15, 1945, in Pineville, Kentucky. Lewis was the beloved son of Esther “Bitty” and Harry Glenn Hopper, Sr.
Lewis was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He was a graduate of Barbourville City School, where he, impressively, maintained perfect attendance all twelve years of his primary and secondary education. During his youth, Lewis participated in scouting, becoming the first Eagle Scout in Barbourville, and continued his commitment to the Scouts over the years volunteering as a mentor to many.
After high school, Lewis continued his education, first graduating from Eastern Kentucky University in 1967, then entering law school at University of Kentucky. Upon completion of his first semester of law school, Lewis made the decision to serve his country and joined the United States Air Force. He completed basic training in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Lewis was assigned the position of Communications Electronics Specialist to the South Vietnamese at Kesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Shortly after his position and base assignments, Lewis and the love of his life, Marcia McDonald, eloped to Jonesville, Virginia beginning their life together. Lewis and Marcia were married for 57 years and were rarely seen apart. In 1968, while in Biloxi, their first daughter Wendi was born.
Three years later, in 1971, Lewis, along with his wife and daughter Wendi, returned to Lexington, Kentucky to resume law school. In 1973 he obtained his law degree and soon thereafter he and his young family returned to his hometown of Barbourville, Kentucky where he established his law practice. No longer an active member of the Air Force, Lewis joined the National Guard serving as Judge Advocate General. Before retiring from duty, he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1976 Lewis and Marcia joyfully welcomed their second daughter, Kristin.
Lewis quickly became a well-known, respected lawyer and judge in his community and beyond. Shortly after establishing his law practice, he was elected District Judge, a distinction as the first in Knox County and the youngest in the state of Kentucky. While District Judge, Lewis became known nationwide, for his dedication to his profession, including times where he held court under an army tent in the snow. In 1984 Lewis was elected Circuit Judge of Knox and Laurel counties and served that judgeship until his retirement in 2005. During his time on the bench in Knox and Laurel counties, Lewis presided over the first Family Court and was instrumental in the creation of the first Drug Court.
Barbourville was home to Lewis and his family for many years. Lewis had a great sense of humor and loved making everyone laugh. He was thoughtful and humble in his approach to his service to family, friends, and community, developing many treasured friendships over the years. He was a man of faith and without fail prayed privately before every trial. Lewis was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as the Chairman of the Administrative Council and the Staff Parrish Relations Committee. He and his mother, Esther “Bitty” Hopper, collaborated to establish the Senior Citizen Center in Barbourville, Kentucky. Lewis was also a Mason and an active member of Shriners International.
Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, Esther “Bitty” and Harry Glenn Hopper, Sr; and three brothers and their wives; Harry Hopper, Jr. and Ginny, Donald Hopper and Jean, and Charlie Hopper and Ann. His in-laws Martha and Ed McDonald, sisters-in-law Beverly Prichard and Geneva McDonald; his niece Richi McDonald Broughton, and nephew Jeffery McDonald also preceded him in death.
Left behind to mourn his passing is his cherished wife of 57 years Marcia Hopper; and two daughters Wendi Hopper Foley (David) of Lexington, Kentucky, and Kristin Smith (Sean) of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Four grandchildren, grandsons Chase Canady, of Lexington, Kentucky and Maxwell Lewis Bradley Smith of Elizabethtown, Kentucky and granddaughters Kailyn Smith of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and Katie Foley Deinema (Mason) of Charleston, South Carolina; two brothers-in-law Harold McDonald of Deland, Florida and Coey Prichard of London, Kentucky; and one special sister, Jeannie Wooton (Alvis) of Grand Rapids, Michigan also survive Lewis and will miss him dearly.
The Hopper family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 10:00 AM until the funeral hour of 12:00 PM. Reverend William Hughes will officiate, assisted by retired Supreme Court Judge Daniel Venters. Following the funeral service, Lewis will be laid to rest in the McDonald Cemetery, Heidrick, Kentucky. Musical tributes to be performed by Pat Chesnut at the funeral service and Kelly Shipe graveside. The family has chosen as pallbearers: David Foley, Sean Smith, Chase Canady, Mike Jones, Spencer Jones, Joel Prichard, Terry Gray and Josh Callihan. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Paul Pedersen, members of the Knox and Laurel Bar Associations, and endeared members of Lewis’s church family.
The staff of Hopper Funeral Home, Victoria Hopper, Sally Hopper, Robin Reese, Lorena Blankenship, Reid Brewer and Brenda Johnson, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lewis Black Hopper.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is entrusted with servicing all arrangements for Lewis Black Hopper.
