Mr. (James) Jim Hopkins is a man remembered fondly by both his family and community. Living in the Waynesburg area for the duration of his life, “Big Jim”, as he was lovingly called, was known as a wearer of multiple hats, a man of many talents, but mostly, as a community servant who loved life, and improving the lives of others. His eldest son, Troy Hopkins, describes his father this way: “He was always one to donate to Greene County. He would take the shirt off his back to give it to you.”
A skilled mason and concrete worker, Jim was born April 23, 1950, and raised in a hard-working, driven family of 10. Jim’s father operated his own construction company, “Hopkins and Sons”, where all the boys in the family were employed at a young age. Here, Jim learned many vital trades which he applied to the rest of his life, as his sister, Helen Mooney, explains. Jim worked with his father throughout his childhood up until the early 1980s, when he transitioned to a position laying block at Emerald Mine. Troy remembers that “he only quit to work harder. He could lay the most block out of anyone.” Jim always sought a challenge, and was notorious for doing excellent work, whatever the task at hand might have been.
Eventually, Jim became an entrepreneur himself, opening “Jim Hopkins Masonry and Concrete.” Being his own supervisor allowed him to give freely of his time to help Greene County with any project he could get his hands on. “He’s played a part [in] building most of the community,” Troy’s wife, Kristin, states. Jim volunteered his concrete services to many businesses, ball teams, and organizations in the area. He loved playing softball with friends and colleagues from the business, and helped others experience the same joy by building numerous batting cages and backstops in Kirby, PA, as well as donating the field house, restrooms, and batting cages for Waynesburg Central High School’s baseball team.
Jim served as a Franklin Township supervisor for 18 years. “He loved to take care of the community,” Troy and Kristin both agree. They remember him heading out early on cold and snowy winter mornings to make sure roads were ready to transport children to school safely. “He made sure every road was clear,” Kristin says, chuckling, “even when it wasn’t in his township.” “You just don’t see that anymore,” they recall.
Jim never stopped taking advantage of every opportunity to serve others. One major project that reflects his heart began only a few years ago.
The Greene County Veterans’ Memorial Park was established on Memorial Day in 2021, and is at 900 Rolling Meadows Road in Waynesburg, PA. Prompted by his appreciation for those who have served our country, Jim provided all the concrete work for the facility hoping the park would be a place that community members would gratefully remember all those who dedicated their lives to our freedom. Although Jim never served in the U.S. military himself, he had deep respect for our country, and all those who served it. As a member of the American Legion and VFW, he loved supporting veterans. “A lot of people risked, he knew, and giving back was a way to honor them and an honor to him,” Troy says.
Jim was a man who loved life. “He was the loudest person, he always smiled and laughed,” Troy recalls.
“[Jim] knew and welcomed everyone,” Kristin adds. “He was gruff, a hard worker, and made sure everything was done right…but he really was a teddy bear,” she explains, laughing.
Whether riding his Harley, going for a hunt, or bringing the ham to a family Thanksgiving dinner, as Helen remembers, Jim always brought life to the room. “Big Jim” really made a big impact on his family, friends, and community. Now, Greene County thanks him.