Ed Hopewell Jr.

Harold Edward Hopewell Jr. was born December 26, 1937 and passed away April 19, 2025 at his home.  He was 87.

H. Edward Hopewell Jr. was born on December 26, 1937, in Phoenix, Arizona, to H. Edward Sr and Virginia (Thornton) Hopewell. He was the oldest of five boys.   Fondly known as Eddie, he graduated from Havre High School in 1956 as an Academic Scholar and an outstanding athlete.  He played for the Havre High Blue Ponies 1955 State Champion Football team and was on the State Champion Track and Field team for 1956. He went on to graduate from the School of Mines in Butte, Montana in 1962 with his good friend and brother-in- law Al Winters, where he began a lifelong journey of hard work and adventure as a Mining Engineer. He married Vina Taylor in Havre, Montana, and together they had four children: Matt, Ginny, Franc, and Maggie. Throughout his life, he enjoyed traveling for work and took his family on many exciting adventures across the United States and Canada. In 1980, Eddie settled in his beloved Big Hole Valley, where he had surveyed during the summers while in school at Butte.  He became involved with the family ranch and the Mountain View Peat Moss Company. After his divorce from Vina, Eddie married Arylin Oelrich of Hamilton, and he eventually moved to the Bitterroot area.  His neighbors often admired his deep love for animals—he cared for numerous dogs and horses in Hamilton. Eddie was known for his quick wit, ready smile and his incredible caregiving spirit, offering love and support to both people and animals. He continued to care for his wife Arylin until her passing. A man of many passions, Eddie loved leatherwork, horseback riding, camping, boating, fishing, hunting and using his chainsaw to cut down just about anything for firewood.  He said his exercise program in his later life was chopping a wheelbarrow full of wood each day to "loosen up my shoulders".  He had a zest for life and lived each day to the fullest. He enjoyed spending time with his grown children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his brothers and their families, always cherishing those precious moments.  He remained active and healthy until the day he passed, embodying a spirit of vitality and adventure.

Eddie is preceded in death by his wife Arylin Hopewell, his ex-wife Laurel Taylor, his parents, Ed and Virginia Hopewell, his sons Matt Hopewell and Franc Hopewell, his brother Lewis Hopewell, granddaughter Christina Carlson, daughter-in-law Sherry Hopewell and infant great-grandson Mori Garcia. He is survived by his children Ginny (Mike) McFaddan, Maggie (Mike) Walters, Step-sons Dan (Juliette) Oelrich, Jason (Kirsten) Oelrich, brothers Byron (Luz) Hopewell, Burt (Gail) Hopewell, Del (Julie) Hopewell, 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

Eddie leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, adventure, and compassion that will never be forgotten. He was a devoted son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend and his memory will continue to inspire all who knew him and he will be missed.

Donations may be made in his name to the National MS Society or the Bitter Root Humane Association.

Please send any pictures and remembrances to loveginny423@gmail.com for a memorial at a later date.