Julian Hopkins

DATELINE: Columbia, SC

DECEASED: Mr. Julian Pelham Hopkins Lt. Colonel, US Air Force (Retired), beloved husband of Julia "Billie" Redfearn Hopkins, died Sunday, February 15, 2009 surrounded by his family.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2:00 PM, Thursday, February 19, 2009 at Magnolia Cemetery in Hartsville, SC

VISITATION: immediately following the service at the cemetery

HISTORY: Hoppy was born March 29, 1917 on his family's farm in the Fork Shoals community near Greenville, SC. A son of the late James Guyton Hopkins and Nellie Knight Hopkins, he spent his young years appreciating and enjoying nature, wildlife and the profound connection we have to the earth. It was a theme that carried throughout his life. He was a 1939 graduate of Furman University, majoring in biology and zoology and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Following Furman, he pursued graduate studies in geology at the University of Texas in Austin with field studies in Alaska. In 1942, Hoppy married his college sweetheart, Julia Billingsley Redfearn of Hartsville, SC.

Lt. Colonel Hopkins was a veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War as well as a veteran of the Korean War and Cold War Era; retiring after 30 years of active service in 1972. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Photo Reconnaissance Officer and Technical Observer upon completing the Aviation Cadets Program in June 1943. He completed advanced aerial photography training before going overseas. He served with the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron of 15th Air Force in Bari, Italy in 1944-45 where he flew 37 single aircraft, unarmed combat reconnaissance missions over Germany in the P-38 "Droop Snoop" aircraft. At the time, it was the first to use a photo radar camera and was highly classified technology. He commanded a 500 man photo squadron on the ground in addition to flying. Hoppy left the Army Air Corps after World War II and worked as an entomologist for the State of South Carolina.

In 1951 he was recalled to active duty from the Air Force Reserve. He served as a cartographic officer and as the first commanding officer of the newly formed 497th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron at Shaw Field. He took the unit by ship to Wiesbaden, Germany in 1952 where it remained the primary air intelligence production organization for US and NATO forces in Europe until 1991. From 1955-57 he was assigned as a cartographic officer to HQ Strategic Air Command and the 544th Reconnaissance Technical Wing where he was a designer of the 200 Series Air Target Chart; the most reliable air target chart for many years for the B-52 Bomber. During 1961-65, he served with USAF Satellite Test Center where he was a member of the launch team pioneering US space reconnaissance programs. In 1965-66 he served as an intelligence advisor to the Republic of Vietnam, Joint General Staff in Saigon. Following Vietnam he served in high level intelligence staff assignments as the Chief of Targets of US Air Forces Europe and with the Foreign Liaison Office of the Defense Intelligence Agency. A recipient of 15 US and foreign decorations, the most meaningful one to Hoppy was the World War II Victory Medal received by all who served in and won that war.

In retirement, Hoppy and Billie returned to Chesterfield, SC where they had a home. Hop was active in civic affairs and community service which included: Director of Chesterfield County Chapter of the Red Cross, Secretary of the Red Cross National Advisory Board for North and South Carolina, Chairman of the South Carolina Blood Donor Program, and Chairman of the Chesterfield Greater Town Committee. He was devoted to the Chesterfield Baptist Church and served as Deacon and Sunday School teacher. In 2004, he was honored with the W.D. Craig Lifetime Achievement Award. Hoppy valued his charter membership in the World War II Memorial Foundation and the American Air Museum in Great Britain. He was a generous contributor to the Seeing Eye Foundation, Smile Train, Wycliffe Bible Translators, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the March of Dimes.

Hoppy was an avid snow skier, wildlife conservationist, photographer, and most importantly, a dedicated grandfather. He loved his family and enjoyed providing his children and grandchildren wonderful life affirming experiences playing at the beach, white-water rafting, fishing, crabbing, exploring the woods and traveling to foreign countries. He lived a life of quiet enthusiasm and provided an example of courage, kindness and service. He will be greatly missed and yet, his life of integrity and love will be cherished by those who loved him.

SURVIVORS:
Hoppy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Julia "Billie" Redfearn Hopkins; a daughter Julia Hopkins Mills of Columbia, and a son, James Hampton Hopkins of Saratoga, California. He is also survived by son-in-law, Col. Harold Mills, USAF (Retired) of Columbia; daughter-in-law, Jane Francis Hopkins, and granddaughter, Caitlin Scott Hopkins of Saratoga, California; by his grandson, Major David Hopkins Mills, USMC and granddaughter-in-law, Christine Lynn Mills of Tampa, Florida, and grandson Captain Andrew Heath Mills, USMC and granddaughter-in-law, Moira Krezens Mills and two great grandchildren, Braeden Julian Mills, and Emerson Alexandra Mills of Surf City, North Carolina. He was predeceased by two brothers, James Guyton Hopkins and John Drayton Hopkins.

The family is most grateful to the staff of Laurel Crest Retirement Center in West Columbia for their compassion, dedicated professional care, and friendship.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Hopkins family.