Charles E. "Gene"age 60 of Columbia formerl Hopkins

Friday, June30, 2017 from 11 a.m. to1 p.m.at Waters Funeral Chapel in Vandalia.

Friday, June 30, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Waters Funeral Chapel.
Officiating: Mr. Kenny Haddock.
Music:
Interment: the Mt. Zion Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers: Travis Wise, Kenneth Caldwell, Dale Franklin, Tim Ralph, Michael Cozad, and Tim Brown.

Charles Eugene "Gene" Hopkins passed away at 3:52 a.m.Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the University Hospital and Clinics in Columbia .Gene grew up and attended schools in Vandalia. He was a 1975 Van-Far High School graduate and also graduated in 1984 with an Associate's Degree in Automotive Technology from Moberly Area Community College. Between high school and college, Gene served his country in the U. S. Army and worked at Harbison Walker Refractories for three years. Gene then worked at the Montgomery Wards automotive department in Columbia for five years. He retired in 2016 after nearly 20 years as a bus automotive tech with Ryder and then First Student school bus in Columbia. Gene was a member of the First Baptist Church in Vandalia. He enjoyed car shows, drag racing, go-cart racing, his dogs, and reading.

Born: June5, 1957 in Spokane, Washington, the son of Robert Eugene and June Ann (Grote) Hopkins.

Married: Kristy Jo Wormsley in Vandalia on May31, 1975; she survives.

Survivors include: mother, June of Vandalia; wife, Kristy of Columbia; one son, David E. Hopkins of Columbia; one daughter, Tracy L. Wise and husband, Travis and their two sons of Columbia; two brothers: Wm. Terrance "Terry" Hopkins and wife, Kelly of Silex and Ron Hopkins of Vandalia; two sisters: Lil Hopkins of Boonville, Sandy Caldwell and husband, Kenneth of Vandalia and by Marlene Strode and her children of Sturgeon; also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: father, Robert Eugene Hopkins.

Memorials are encouraged to the American Diabetes Association.