LETTERS: LYNN HOPKINS WILL BE MISSED IN MILLERSVILLE

To the editor:

The small community of Millersville suffered a grievous and irreplaceable loss the other day. It seems in the grand scheme of things, with all the movers and shakers about, we tend to overlook those people who are closer to us and have a more direct impact on our lives. Such a person was Lynn Hopkins. He always had a friend word and was always willing to help.

Lynn was the proprietor of a local feed store, the social center of the community, a place where enlightened discussions were held, world problems solved, fishing lies ran amuck, farming methods were shared and your kids might get an occasional free candy bar. If you were lucky, you might get to enjoy on of Lynn's universally famous breakfasts. The feed store was the kinds of place presidential candidates should visit to get the real pulse of the nation.

For all intents and purposes, Lynn was the unofficial mayor of Millersville. A resource of information, Lynn knew everybody and where they lived within the surrounding area.

Before the advent of the county road-numbering system and the 911 system, we of the fire department had to rely on Lynn for directions when responding to emergencies. He knew which road to take and how far it was.

Lynn was instrumental in getting the Millersville Fire Department started. He was president of the local water district, and he was secretary of his church.

I'm sure there was a multitude of community service he was involved with but went unrecognized because Lynn was not one to boast.

While I was certainly not his biggest customer, I received the same treatment as though I was.

He will be greatly missed by our family.

While others may have known him for a lifetime, I regret that I just knew him for 19 short years.

JAMES C. ROCHE

Jackson, Mo.