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