Harry Hastings Hopson
( November 04, 1927 – August 04, 2019 )
Harry Hastings Hopson of the Triangle Ranch in Harding County, NM, died Sunday, August 4, 2019. Harry was born in Dalhart, Texas on November 4, 1927 to Henry James (Jim) and Thelma Hastings Hopson, raised on a ranch and farming operation near Sedan, New Mexico in Union County. Harry was 91 when he died peacefully with family by his side.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on September 28th at 10:00 am in the Indoor Rodeo Arena (Mosquero Schools Indoor Equestrian Center) with Lunch and Fellowship to follow the Service at the School Multi-purpose room, where we will remember his wonderful stories, gentlemanly ways and cowboy life. All who knew him and loved him are welcome.
Harry Hopson will be remembered as a kind gentleman and a great cowboy. Known as “Hoppy or Daddy Hop” to his family and friends, as an amazing storyteller with memories he would recall to bless the heart of each listener. Harry’s love for his family, all people, animals and the land is unending.
In high school in Clayton, NM, he helped to create the NM High School Rodeo State Competition. After graduation, Harry attended New Mexico Agricultural & Mechanics College (now NMSU), from 1946 through graduation in 1951. He was a proud member of the NMSU ROTC and majored in Animal Husbandry. A proud member and president of the re-established the Aggie Rodeo Team, he helped Charter the NIRA at Fort Worth, in 1948 to found the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, eventually winning Reserve Champion All-Around Cowboy at the World Rodeo Finals in the San Francisco Cow Palace in both 1949 and 1950, riding in all the rough stock events and team roping.
At the Fourth of July Rodeo in Clayton in 1947, Harry met Lindit’ Lambert. In 1948 he convinced Lindit’ to transfer from Arizona State University to New Mexico A & M. Harry and Lindit’ were married in the summer of 1950 in a romantic outdoor wedding at her childhood home on the Triangle Ranch, near Rosebud, NM. She and Harry had four children, known as “the four J’s”: Jeff, Jill, Jay and Joy. Harry cherished teaching his family to work with all of God’s creatures and they attended many wonderful churches over the years, with the Mosquero Community Church being his church home. He and Lindit’ were happily married for 65 years. Harry has always been very proud of his entire family and his wonderful wife.
Harry was honored and enjoyed his time serving in the US Army in Georgia in 1952-54 until he was given a medical discharge for a shoulder injury, just before the Korean Conflict. Harry and family returned to New Mexico, managing land and livestock all over the southwest, helping to establish county fairs and fairgrounds in Harding and Sandoval County, and contributing to the pursuit of agricultural life in many more areas and capacities. Harry worked closely with Ranchers in Colfax, Union, and Harding and Quay Counties while with the NM State Land Office, served for many years on the Ute Creek Soil and Water Conservation District, member of the NM Cattle Growers, NE NM Livestock Association, NM Hereford Association, and NM Farm Bureau Association and on the Southwestern Electric Cooperative Rural Board of Directors. Harry earned many awards and honors for his stewardship of the land, outstanding conservation practices and his dedication to preserving Western Cowboy heritage over most of his 91 years. Harry Hopson has lived and helped define the ranching way of life in Northeastern New Mexico.
As a Neighbor and a Cowboy Leader he helped to establish countless clubs, traditions, and organizations that brought opportunities and camaraderie to our small communities, but many will remember him best as a storyteller. He never met a stranger and loved nothing more than catching up with an old friend. While he will be missed, the connections made, stories told, and legacy left behind will linger long in our hearts.
Harry Hopson loved bringing out the best in people! Our “Daddy Hop” was a most amazing brother, friend, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and Man! Until his last days he was living as he wished, doing what he loved, working on a special project out in the pastures with his dog beside him, caring for God’s Land on the Triangle Ranch.
Survivors:
2 SONS: Rev. Jeff Hopson Lincoln, NE
Jay Hopson (Frances) San Diego, CA
2 DAUGHTERS: Jill Chatfield (Jack) Mosquero, NM
Joy Harris (Doak) Clayton, NM
15 GRANDCHILDREN:
Randall Hastings Cook (Jennifer Geskie) Palisades, NY
Kelly Jakel (Peter) Littleton, CO
Shawn Marie Swagerty Littleton, CO
Jesse James Swagerty IV (Jacqueline) Houston, TX
John David Chatfield Las Cruces, NM
Tassi Rana Jones (Justin) Stephenville, TX
Macy Danielle Millican (Matthew) San Angelo, TX
Lane Elizabeth Harris (Félix Rodríguez Carbajo) Dublin, Ireland
Shay LeeAnn Harris (Steve Kaufmann) Las Angeles, CA
Jimmy Jack Chatfield (Natalie) Laredo, TX
Robin Shelayne Chatfield Weatherford, TX
Renee Riley (Patrick) Moriarty, NM
Christa Ballew San Diego, CA
David Ballew Nashville, TN
Kaitlyn Bjork (Jeremy) San Diego, CA
25 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Joseph Hopson Cook, Robert Cook, Thomas Cook, Kezlyn Jones, Blaytin Jones, Axtin Jones, Zaiden Jakel, Katina Jakel, Keelin Jakel, Elise Jakel, Teagan Chatfield, Truitt Chatfield, Tinley Chatfield, Juliet Swagerty, Jesse James Swagerty, V., Ryder Millican, Maverick Millican, Dezmon Sosa, Gabriella Sosa, Oscar Sosa, Allison Smith, Kennedy Riley, Parker Riley, Danielle Ballew and Maximilian Bjork.
1 SISTER: Jimmie Letha Dawson San Jose, CA
1 BROTHER: John Hal Hopson Scottsdale, AZ
And numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
