Larry D. Hopper

Larry Dale Hopper of Inverness, Florida passed away on January 26, 2025 at the age of 84.

He was born in Rock Island, Illinois to Erna née Walton and Dailey B. “Dale” Hopper on July 3, 1940 and raised by Erna and stepfather Fred Payne in Bushnell, Ill. After high school, he was awarded an academic scholarship to the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the school of business. He took a break in his education and joined the US Navy as an Officer in the Supply Corps in Subic Bay, Philippines during the Vietnam War years. After the Navy, Larry attended graduate school at Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he met his first wife Rona, née Turner and earned a dual Masters in Business and Finance. They settled in Inverness, Florida and raised two sons. Larry built his own business as a Certified Public Accountant in Florida where he worked for over 30 years. During this period, Larry began a lifetime of volunteer and public service. He was active in the Rotary Club, PTA, local charities and his church. He was also elected to the Inverness City Council.

Larry met his wife Stephanie in 1990 and began a period of time as a business teacher in Florida and later as a substitute teacher in Citrus County. They both joined Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, where Larry served as Treasurer of the church feeding program (SOS) and sang in the church choir. He was a wonderful stepfather to Stephanie’s two sons now living at the Key Training Center.

Larry was always an athlete and held top awards and national records in his class in weightlifting. He also refereed youth soccer for many years. He enjoyed reading, restoring classic cars and working in the yard. He loved to take his wife out to eat.

Larry is predeceased by sister Delores Morey of Cambridge, IL. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Hopper; two sons Larry Dale Hopper Jr. (Shannon) of San Antonio, TX and Brian Hopper (Jessica) of Tallahassee, FL; two stepsons, Matthew and Michael Payne of Inverness, FL; sisters Janice Fields (John), Glen Ellyn, Ill and Nancy Hopper (Jim McCutcheon) and brother John Hopper, New Orleans, LA; three grandchildren, Sienna, Marena and Annabelle. He will also be loved and remembered by Stephanie’s extended family, sister-in-law, Suzanne Lash and others too numerous to mention.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church in Lecanto.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church or VITAS Hospice.

Services entrusted to the care of Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness, Florida. www.heinzfh.com.