Francis Charles Hoopes, age 75, of Italy, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2015 in Waxahachie. He was born October 22, 1940 in Miami, FL to Charles Joseph and Bernice (Wilson) Hoopes.

Francis was a career military man serving 8 years in the U. S. Navy and 12 years in the U. S. Air Force, retiring in 1979. After retirement he was employed by Sheppard Air Force Base for Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot training until age 71. He was a founding member of Lodge #2771 of the International Association of Machinists and Aero Space Workers.

Francis ran 16 marathon races for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and was very proud that he was able to complete all of them. He was a devoted and loving Pop to his two granddaughters and also their #1 fan.

Survivors include his loving wife, Virginia Hoopes of Italy; one son, Charles Vernon Hoopes of Italy; one daughter, Denise Lawson and husband Brad of Holliday, TX; two granddaughters, Paige Lawson and Bailee Lawson and one sister, Jackie Poore and husband Bud of Rising Sun, MD.

An inurnment with military honors will be 1PM Monday, November 16, 2015 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.