Hemlock: Dick passed peacefully on October 14, 2018 at age 81. Predeceased by his siblings; Theodore Jopson, Elsie Billotte, and Elizabeth Colvin. Survived by his devoted wife Donna Jopson and children; Marty (Shirley) Jopson of Geneseo, Mark (Theresa) Jopson of Lakeville, Lisa Ohle of Livonia, Todd Niles of IA, Sherry (Dan) Siefken of IA, and Mike (Tara) Niles of IA; grandchildren, Jamie (Christie) Jopson, Jerrod Jopson, Tyler Ohle, Ashley Jopson, Amanda Jopson, Jennifer Niles, Niles Siefken, and Michael Niles; great- grandchildren, Brittani Jopson, Jordan Jopson, and Nicholas Jopson; siblings, Eugene Jopson, Barbara Schmidt, Sharon Hurley, Lorena Rogers, and Melvin Jopson. Also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends & fans of country music.
Dick was born on January 20, 1937 in Honeoye Falls, NY to parents Theodore & Clara Jopson. He served in the Army National Guard during the 1960’s and also was a member of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Geneseo Police. He always had a love of music and enjoyed to play guitar and perform. He was very proud to be a member of the NYS Country Music Hall of Honor, the NYS Country Music Hall of Fame, and was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Country Music. He also received the Livingston County Legend Award for his many years of music performance in our community and received the WCJW Achievement in Country Music Award. Dick was a member of the Civil Defense and also owned Jopson’s Slab City in Hemlock, NY. He was well loved by all his family and friends and will be deeply missed.
Family and friends may call on Friday, October 19th, from 4-7pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 20A, Livonia, NY. A Service to Celebrate Dick’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 20th, 1:30pm at the United Methodist Church of Livonia, 21 Summers Street, Livonia, NY. Private burial Union Cemetery, Livonia, NY with military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s Memory to the Little Lakes Community Association, PO Box 82, Hemlock, NY 14466 or the Hospeace House, PO Box 343, Naples, NY 14512. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Dick,
Didn’t get to see you to say Goodbye, but hoping we’ll get to play together again someday with the Lord and saints among the audience. Thanks for the liking my songs at “Potlucker’s” at the Livonia inn and at Wegmans when I’d see ya. Will always remember your smile, genuine love and encouragement,
Len
We are so sorry for your loss. We had many great times listening to Dick perform. He will be missed by many. Prayers for strength and comfort. Robin Herring and Bernie Wheeler
Donna and family: My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you. Dick brought a lot of joy into our lives and he will be missed.
Donna , Family and Friends Dick will be missed by so many people who knew him and His talent for Great Traditional Country Music for many years ! I am just one of Many who will miss him
Lisa, Although I never knew your Dad, his name and music were well known. So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Mary
We at Ontario-Yates Hospice were truly honored to be allowed to celebrate Dick’s service in the National Guard. I say “allowed” because Dick truly ran the We Honor Veterans ceremony held to thank him for his service to our country. He set the record for attendance and basically entertained us when we visited to celebrate him.
His Spirit and zest for life will remain with me forever, so apparent in his amazing eyes (the window to the soul) and his gregarious smile. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to meet him.
Thank you.
Donna, sorry to hear of your loss, We had many good times together.. RIP
Donna and Family, Our hearts go out to you all for your loss. Dick’s huge smile can only be beaten by his huge heart. He was always ready to jump in and help when the going got tough. I only knew Dick for a few years but in those years I grew to appreciate his wit and wisdom. His love for his family and bride were always his top priority. He will be missed in the present but always there in our memories.
So sorry to hear about Dick. We have so many happy memories from the Conesus Lake Sportsmans Club!!!
Donna & family,
Sending our condolences & prayers. Truly a wonderful man Dick was. We enjoyed seeing you both at Harper’s Bluegrass Festival last year. Heaven is celebrating with lots of music and we are blessed to still hear him. May you all find healing in those memories.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Jopson’s passing, but blessed to say we knew him and were neighbors for 6 years. He was as quick to lend a helping hand as he was to crack a joke. He’d do anything to get a smile on your face and it was always nice to put a smile on his whenever we brought over metal for him to scrap. Of course, I’m sure if our wives knew of the day he lifted me in his tractor bucket to trim trees with a chainsaw, they wouldn’t be smiling. But it sure had us smiling that day! Thoughts and prayers go out to Donna and the rest of the Jopson family.
Very sorry to hear about Dick. He was a great guy and on several occasions in my career he covered my back. He was always a pleasure to talk to and I will miss seeing him.
Robin R Maloney
He will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family.
Aunt Donna,
So sorry for your loss. You kept such a sweet smile on his face. His music touched so many lives just as his personality did! Always a smile to greet people. He certainly knew how to live life to the fullest.
I believe he will have a sweet song and guitar in heaven! Probably playing music with Johnny Cash!
Love,
June
Dear Donna, Family and Friends,
Dick will be terribly missed by all those who knew and loved him. In the past few years, he and Donna were devoted to helping the Little Lakes Community Center (old Hemlock School) get off the ground. They regularly attended the weekly meetings and always volunteered at events. Last year, Dick even performed a benefit concert for the effort. Personally, I will regret not having known him longer. He was a kind, personable and funny guy, who well deserved all the devoted fans he garnered over the years.
Donna and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Dick was a kind and friendly man! No matter where we saw him he chatted a bit. Loved his music and we heard him last fall at Jam in EBUMC. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Donna,You’re all in my thoughts and prayers. Dick was a great man,he will be missed by many.RIP Dick…..
The name and face is so familiar. I played at the Hemlock Hayloft in 68/69, and 69/70 with a square dance band. Does that ring any bells for anyone.
My heart goes out to Dicks family and friends. The music community has truly lost a great musician.
Prayers and blessings,
Chaplain John (Jack) Draper
He has been a great brother in law , rescuing me with his handyman skills in time of need. He always amazed me with his keen interest and care for his fellow man. He always had the time to listen. A LARGER THAN LIFE MAN. He will be missed by all who knew him.