H. Graydon Hopkins, Jr.

H. Graydon "Grady" Hopkins, Jr., beloved husband of the late Janice Dryden Hopkins, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the age of 100.

Born on October 4, 1925, in Cape Charles, Virginia, Grady was the son of the late Herman Graydon Hopkins and Cora Williams Hopkins. When he was a young boy his family relocated to Wilmington, Delaware, where he spent his formative years. He graduated from Alexis I. duPont High School and enrolled at Syracuse University through a military program. After completing one semester, he was called to active duty in the United States Army.

Following Basic Training, Grady was scheduled to deploy as part of the D-Day invasion at Normandy, but an injury prevented his deployment. He was later sent to Japan as part of the postwar occupation. While en route aboard a troop ship, the United States dropped the two atomic bombs on Japan, changing the course of his wartime service. Upon arriving in Japan, Grady was assigned to supervise Japanese prisoners of war during the occupation.

After returning home from the war and leaving the Army, Grady began a career as a carpenter, using his skills to build the family home where he and Janice would live for 23 years. In 1951, he began working for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, where he spent 17 years. He later sold Lincolns and Mercurys for approximately a year before beginning a new career with the duPont Company as a Systems Analyst. He worked there for 15 years before retiring in 1984 at the age of 59½.

Grady was a careful and thoughtful man who valued hard work, responsibility, and wise financial decisions. His frugality and sound judgment allowed him to enjoy a comfortable retirement for more than 41 years, a testament to the discipline and foresight that guided his life.

After returning home from the war, Grady met the love of his life, Janice Dryden. They were married in 1948 and shared a devoted marriage for 70 years until her passing in 2018. Grady loved Janice deeply and wore his wedding ring every day until his own passing, nearly eight years after hers. Together they raised three children in Wilmington, teaching them the importance of hard work, honesty, integrity, and perseverance. Grady was also devoted to his family, caring for his mother for 20 years after his father's passing.

Grady was deeply involved in his community, serving on the local school board for nine years. He cherished time spent with family and friends, especially at the beach. The Hopkins family enjoyed many years at their second homes, first in Fenwick Island, Delaware, and later in Ocean City, Maryland, where they owned a cottage and two apartments. Those years created many treasured memories for the family.

Throughout his life, Grady enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, and playing poker. He especially loved the friendships and fellowship these activities brought. A skilled pool player, he remained remarkably difficult to beat, continuing to enjoy the game until only a few months before his passing. He also had a lifelong love of automobiles, particularly Mercurys, and owned many throughout the years. Although he often dreamed of owning an antique car, his practical nature and "money smarts" ultimately guided him in another direction.

Later in life, Grady and Janice moved to Onancock on Virginia's Eastern Shore while also maintaining a second home in Naples, Florida. They later lived in Salisbury, Maryland, and eventually in the Richmond, Virginia, area, where Grady spent his final years. In his later years, he especially enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren and, eventually, his great-grandchildren.

Grady will be remembered for a century of life marked by service to his country, devotion to his family, dedication to his community, and a remarkable example of perseverance and integrity. His quiet strength, kindness, wisdom, and unwavering love for those around him leave a lasting legacy. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Randy Hopkins of Tucson, AZ, Susan Pharr (Dan) of Richmond, VA, and Stephen Hopkins (Donna) of Lewisville, NC; grandchildren, Daria Hopkins, Kate Osborne, Lauren Yorkis, Linnea Hopkins Mace, and Tim Hopkins, great-grandchildren, Alyssa Hopkins, Peyton Gouge, Grady Osborne, Court Yorkis, Jack Yorkis, and Rutledge Hopkins. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, John and Kenneth Hopkins.

The family will gather for a private graveside service at the Mount Holly Cemetery in Onancock, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Grady’s memory may be made to The Delaware Veterans Home at https://vethome.delaware.gov/how-can-you-help/.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

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