This past weekend Amy and I had the privilege of being at Frank Hopkins 90th birthday party.  Well, it might not have been his 90th birthday party, but you know what I mean.  Frank Hopkins is 90 years old.  Wow, I just realized I’m exactly half his age (for a couple more weeks). I have known Frank closely for about 15 years. For several years we served together on the staff of Woodland Hills Church in Asheville, NC.  I have many fond memories of Frank Hopkins over the years.

One memory that quickly comes to mind are those Monday mornings we spent together at the Buncombe Baptist Minister’s Conference.  Frank has been the secretary for that minister’s group for many years.  He’s known among that crowd for making the “reading of the minutes” a comical affair.  His dry sense of humor and gift of writing made something as boring as reading meeting minutes enjoyable.  I remember those countless lunches after those meetings at Ryan’s Steakhouse with all of Frank’s old buddies (many of whom have passed on into their eternal home in heaven). I was, without a doubt, the youngest among them but I enjoyed listening to their “war stories” and tales of the “good ‘ole days.”  It was there at Ryans with Frank that I first learned to love spinach leaves on my salad!  I miss those times!

I also remember the many Christmas Eve’s that our family spent with Frank and Betty.  For years, while living in Buncombe County, NC they served as surrogate grandparents for our children.  Our children still love going to Frank and Betty’s home and eating Betty’s homemade pickles and playing with Frank’s carrom board (It’s hyperlinked for those of you who have no idea what a carrom board is).

When I think of Frank Hopkins as he enters his 9th decade of life, the following are a few words that come to mind:  Pastor, Friend, Mentor, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Great Great Grandfather, Role Model, Humble, Honest, Godly, Generous, Servant, Witty, Faithful, Reliable, Passionate, and Hero!

Thanks Frank Hopkins for being an great example of a Godly man and friend.  I, along with many others,  look forward to celebrating your life for many more years to come!