Connie Eldeane Hopper

Connie Eldeane Hopper passed away on July 10, 2025, two days before what would have been his 84th birthday. He was born in Boley, Oklahoma on July 12, 1941 to Bill and Daisy Hopper. Raised in Hobbs, NM, he met and married his high school sweetheart, Janet Kaye (Cox) in December 1961. The couple moved to Las Cruces NM in January 1962 when he was accepted into the cooperative education program at New Mexico State University and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). 

They continued living in Las Cruces when he accepted a full-time engineering position at WSMR in 1966. Eldeane enjoyed life in Las Cruces centered on career, family, and friends and was a regular fixture for many years at the Monday Night Church Bowling League in Las Cruces. After a fulfilling profession at WSMR, with work both at WSMR and in Bethesda, Maryland, Eldeane retired in 2002. The couple enjoyed retirement as they embarked on vacations, road trips, and cruises - while just as happy sitting on the deck he designed and built in the evenings as they enjoyed each other's company while gazing out at their pecan trees. 

In the fall of 2016 they moved to Albuquerque, NM to be closer to their children. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years in October 2022, and his mother and father and an older brother, Curtis. He is survived by his son, Dean Hopper (partner, Anthony Cadavas) of Santa Fe, NM and his daughter, Terri (Hopper) Gaussoin (husband Kristofer Gaussoin) and one grandson, Thomas Gaussoin of Albuquerque, NM and Boston, MA. He is also survived by his older brother, Jonnie Hopper (wife Sharon) of Hobbs, NM. 

A wordle "extraordinaire" and a man of keen intellect and curiosity, he will be missed by those his life touched in so many innumerable ways. 

Graveside services only are planned for family and friends at 10:00 AM, July 15th, 2025 at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul NE in Albuquerque, NM, with a celebration of life luncheon to follow. Please visit the online guestbook for Connie Eldeane at www.FrenchFunerals.com FRENCH-Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd NE (505) 823-9400.