Terry Lee Hopper, 65, of San Francisco, California, unexpectedly passed away while at home during the evening hours of September 8, 2025, from cardiac arrest. Terry was born on January 18, 1960 at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital to Dan and Barbara (Vrtiska) Hopper. In April of 1960, Terry was baptized in the United Methodist Church in Pawnee City.

Terry and his family lived in Pawnee City until he was 8 years old after which the family moved to a farmstead north of Pawnee City. He attended Pawnee City Public Schools from Kindergarten through twelfth grade. While in grade school, Terry started taking piano and singing lessons which was advantageous for him when he entered high school. He also learned how to play the organ and played the organ at the Methodist Church for their Sunday morning services.

While in high school, Terry participated in band, pep band, chorus and helped establish the school's first swing choir. He received many awards for his solo performances. In 1976, Terry sang an Al Jolson song for the July 4th Bicentennial Celebration at the Pawnee County Fairgrounds. He also was cast and performed in three musicals, and also participated in speech and drama. In his junior year, Terry competed in Oral Interpretation of Drama and won first in state at the Nebraska State Speech Contest in Kearney, NE. During his senior year, Terry again competed in Oral Interpretation of Drama and again won first in state. During that same contest, he also competed in Oral Interpretation of Prose and placed third in state.

Terry graduated from high school in 1978 and enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, majoring in Acting. After two years at Wesleyan, Terry left Wesleyan and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At UNL, Terry majored in Fine Arts. After approximately a year, Terry decided to leave the university and start a greeting card business. His business, which he named Avant Card, was located in downtown Lincoln. After approximately two years in business, Terry was asked by a local Lincoln businessman if he wanted to sell the business, Terry agreed to the sale and the business was sold.

Terry then made a decision to leave Lincoln and move to San Francisco. Terry found a job with a charitable organization to assist them with their fundraising. Later Terry became employed with St. Vincent DePaul of San Francisco as their person in charge of donations and organizing fundraising events. He retired from St. Vincent DePaul in February of 2025.

Terry is survived by his parents Dan and Barbara Hopper of Pawnee City, NE, brother, Jerry Hopper of Lincoln, NE, aunts, Jo E. Vrtiska of Oblong, IL, Janet Vrtiska, Lincoln, NE, Marilyn Spohr, Weeping Water, NE and Jean Buell of Randolph, NE, uncle Charles Spohr of Weeping Water, NE, great-aunt Vernice Vrtiska of Harlan, IA and numerous cousins.

Terry was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elmer and Marjorie Vrtiska, Raymond and Pearl Hopper and great-uncle Vernon Vrtiska.

A special thanks needs to be given to those individuals who assisted the Hopper family with Terry's passing and funeral, J.J. Mayer of Lincoln, NE, Steven Matosich of San Francisco, CA, and Olga O'Hara of San Francisco, CA.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the United Methodist Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska with Pastor Lauri Beach officiating. After the service, family and friends are invited to the Poteet Hall for lunch with the family. No visitation will be held. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Memorials to Pawnee City High School Fine Arts or Pawnee City Library. Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com. Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.