TORRINGTON – Monty L. Hopkins, age 82, of LaGrange, passed away Dec. 20, 2020, in Torrington Community Hospital after a brief bout with pneumonia. Services will be held at the Frontier School of the Bible on Jan. 6, 2021 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Nelson Miles officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home, and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nebraska Children’s Home Society or an animal rescue of your choice.
Monty was born April 6, 1938, in Douglas County, Neb. He was adopted Oct. 12, 1938, by Kenneth and Lorene (Cross) Hopkins. He received his education in LaGrange and graduated high school in 1955. He attended Wesleyan College in Lincoln, Neb. and graduated from Elkins Institute of Radio and Technology in Dallas, Texas.
Monty was briefly married to Shirley Mae Bacon in 1956. He married Lee Shaul in 1966. On Aug. 18, 1972, Monty married Polly Keeline in Casper.
Throughout his life, Monty lived and worked in Nebraska and Wyoming. He worked for Worthman Machinery, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, KFBC Radio and TV in Cheyenne; The Business Farmer and KNEB Radio in Scottsbluff, Neb.; Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and Intermountain Radio Network in Laramie; KVOC Radio, Wyoming Machinery Co. and ASCO in Casper. He announced rodeos at every level for over 30 years. He also wrote many poems and short stories. He sold real estate in Wyoming and Nebraska for over 22 years.
In 1980, Monty and Polly moved back to the family farm in Banner County, Neb. His greatest joys in life were his family, announcing rodeos and drinking coffee with friends. He was always ready with a good story.
He is survived by his wife Polly; son Sean (Jenifer) Hopkins of Mitchell, Neb.; son Zane (Kyle Ann) Hopkins of Banner County, Neb.; grandson Josh (JoAnn) Hopkins of Morrill, Neb.; grandson Justin Hopkins of Mitchell Neb.; granddaughter Tiffany Hopkins of Banner County, Neb.; great-granddaughters Brooke, Peyton, and Allie Hopkins of Morrill Neb.; sister Bettie Sue (Bernie) Penick of Lakin Kan. and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Lorene Hopkins, infant sister Dixie Rae and infant brother Clayton Duane.
