James Lee Hopper

James (Jim) Hopper, age 80, passed away October 23, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born on March 15, 1946, in Missoula, Montana to Jesse Hopper and Amalia Knittel. Jim grew up in Missoula, graduating in 1964 from Missoula County High School before receiving his degree in Electrical Engineering from Montana State University in 1969. 

As a proud Veteran of the United States Army, Jim served from 1969 to 1971, including a tour in Vietnam. For his dedicated service, he was awarded the Bronze Star. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Montana State University and earned his master’s degree in Industrial and Management Engineering in 1974. 

He eventually started his family and settled down for several years in Beltsville, Maryland. While raising his children, he devoted his life to public service working as an engineer with the United States Postal Service (he never missed an opportunity to salute any post office, USPS delivery truck, or postman/postwoman). He also served as a contractor for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations, managing construction of new embassy buildings, including in Yemen and Afghanistan.

While he technically retired several years ago and split his time between Fairmont, Montana and Mesquite, Nevada, Jim never quite learned how to slow down. He loved to say - “don’t let the old man in!” - and truly lived by those words his whole life. His last few years were spent happily with his partner Betty traveling the world, working on his golf and tennis game, and spending time with friends and family. Jim loved being outdoors. He was known to invite people over where he would plan elaborate adventures hiking, skiing, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, taking the ATVs out - and he would outpace them all.

Jim was predeceased by his brothers Harry and Harold, and by his sister Lorraine. He is survived by his children, Nathan Hopper (Vanessa Kong) and Jeffrey Hopper; his partner of 10 years Betty Slagle; his sister Sheryl Moger; his former wife Donna Mertens; and his dear friends who were like family, especially John Luebbe.

In keeping with Jim’s wishes, his remains will be interred at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula. A celebration of life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to honor Jim’s life by making a donation to organizations supporting veterans, such as Vietnam Veterans for America or the Wounded Warrior Project.