James Leslie Hopper

Nov 12, 1945 -

Mar 10, 2020

James "Jim" Leslie Hopper, 74, passed away on March 10, 2020, in Kingman, Ariz. Jim was born on Nov. 12, 1945, in Red Wing, Minn., but grew up in Wisconsin. He lived a life of adventure and is best known for the stories he shared with others. If you were lucky enough to know him you have surely heard a story or two. Jim served as a police officer with the Chicago Police Department in the 1960s before being drafted in the United States Army. He attended Officer Candidate School and served as a Military Police Officer, assigned to Fort Richardson, Alaska. Following his assignment in the military, he joined the Alaska State Troopers and later became an attorney. He served as an attorney for nearly 30 years. Jim retired and finally moved back to Pine Island, Minn., in 2017. He always wanted to return to Minnesota, and shared many fond memories visiting Pine Island in his youth.

Jim left this life in Kingman, Ariz., following a daytrip to the Grand Canyon. He was on vacation and wanted his daughters to see the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon. He became ill and was taken to the nearest hospital. In true fashion, he made friends with the EMTs, nurses, aides and hospital personnel. He made so many people laugh, discovered orange Italian ice and remarked at the end that in his life "he sure had a lot of fun."

Jim is survived by his wife of 34 years, Deborah Hopper; two daughters, Kimberly (Paul) Russell and Sheila (Jake) Flagg; and five grandchildren, Kayla and Max Russell, Elisabeth and Gianna Moffett and Gideon Flagg. He came from a large Midwestern family with too many siblings to mention.

In his honor, eat orange Italian ice on your front porch, drink a Coke, and share a good story.

Graveside services will be held this summer in Pine Island, Minn.