Carroll Ray Hopper

Carroll Ray Hopper was born on July 28, 1938 on a ranch north of Taiban, New Mexico. He attended school in Fort Sumner. He played basketball, football, and track growing up. His basketball team won second in state during his junior and senior years. Fort Sumner won the state track championship eight years in a row. Carroll was also involved in 4-H and FFA. He had the grand champion pig and the reserve grand champion pen of three at the New Mexico State Fair in 1953.
Carroll moved to Farmington after he graduated from high school in 1956. He worked in Farmington over the summer and then attended New Mexico State University and Eastern New Mexico University. Carroll was smart and he amazed others how he could do Math in his head. After college, he moved back to Farmington.
Carroll and Marylee met at a practice roping in Farmington, NM which was right off 20th Street in 1964, close to where the Farmington Library is now. They married in Durango, Colorado on June 10, 1968 and Joe and Patti Montano were their witnesses.
Carroll worked at Four States Refining Company as a refinery operator for thirteen years before the refinery closed in Flora Vista, NM. Carroll then worked for seven years for Black Mesa Pipeline in Kayenta, Arizona as a shift supervisor.
In 1976, Carroll and Marylee bought Hopper's Lounge and Package in Aztec and owned that business for thirteen years. They had some big times in Hopper's Lounge with all of their cherished friends.
There is a saying, You have to be a friend, to have a friend. Carroll Hopper's friends meant the world to him. He was a true friend and was there for them no matter what.
Carroll and Marylee also owned Windmill Western Wear in Bloomfield and a feed store near the racetrack in Farmington. Carroll and Marylee were instrumental in the establishment of San Juan Downs/currently Sun Ray Park. Carroll Hopper also worked at Snake River Construction for several years. As small business owners, they were both extremely supportive of youth activities in the area such as sponsoring saddles, buckles, trophies, etc.
Carroll and Marylee bought their first race horse in 1978, forty years ago. Carroll received numerous honors from the New Mexico Horse Breeder's Association from the bloodlines he created with such great horses as Merry Wagon, Merry Ego, Merry's Dolly, and Wagon's Maiden. Carroll is ranked as the 132nd best quarter horse trainer of all time in America. Carroll started a total of 1885 races during his career with 284 wins, 252 seconds, and 241 thirds with $3,905,758 in total earnings.
Carroll made sure his children had a great childhood and never missed a rodeo, livestock show, or game. Carroll loved to fish, waterski and dance to country western music. Carroll was as tough as they come, would not complain, and kept pushing himself right until his last breath. Carroll was a kind and gentle man and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his five sisters: Carlene Keith (Derle), Joyce Neagle (Jimmy), Wynell Richards (Jan), Phyllis Dobbins (Donnie), and Rosella Moore. His four children: Bobby Hopper (Laura), Toni Hopper Pendergrass (Doug), Carroll Slugger Hopper, and Marla Schmidt (Ken). His 15 grandchildren: Bo (Mandi) Hopper, Christi Hopper, Levi (Charlie) Hopper, Dacyn (Josh) Walsh, Danney (Meisje) Brown, Weston Lewis, Lauryn Lewis, Walker Lewis, Talyn (Cody) Crum, Douglas Pendergrass, Gentry Hopper, Raylee Pendergrass, Frances Hopper, Oliver Hopper, and Hadley Pendergrass. He is also survived by his 14 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his dear friend Kelley Brooks.
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents; Jimmy and Frances Hopper; his wife Marylee Hopper; his two sisters Edna Marie McIntire and Imagene Cheyne, brother-in-law Raymond McLain and niece Cindy McClain Williams.
A viewing will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at Brewer, Lee, and Larkin Funeral Home at 103 E. Ute Street in Farmington, NM. A funeral service will be at 11:00 am at the same location. A luncheon will follow the funeral at 6911 Drinen Lane, Farmington, NM. Carroll will be laid to rest at Fort Sumner Cemetery in Fort Sumner NM, following a graveside service at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 7, 2018.
The Hopper family would like to extend our appreciation to all of our family and friends for their support during this extremely difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Carroll and Marylee Endowed Scholarship at San Juan College Foundation, 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402 or Fort Sumner Cemetery Association at PO Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119.
Carroll's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute Street, in Farmington, NM. (505)325-8688.