Perry Hooper receives AER GRIDER AWARD from Senator Roger Bedford.
The ADRS Family, Alabama’s BEP, and the Alabama AER Chapter has lost a great advocate with the recent passing of “Perry Newton Hopper II”.
Perry Newton Hopper II, 65, of Montgomery, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon James and Dixie Thompson Hopper, and nephew, Michael Godbold Johnson. He is survived by his wife, DeeDee Hopper; stepson, Matthew Moses (Kerry); sisters, Susan Hopper Thomas (Steve), Leah Hopper Johnson and Julie Hopper; brother in law, Mike Johnson and grandchildren, Melora, Autumn, and Scarlet Moses. Perry also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. Hopper was a proud graduate of the University of Alabama and was the retired Assistant Director with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Service/ Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Leak Memory Chapel from 4:00pm-7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Alabama AER Billy Don Sims Scholarship Fund, 721 Dawn Dr., Auburn, Al. 36830, Attn: Joseph P. Helm, Treasurer.
The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Business Enterprise Program lost a well-respected employee Perry N. Hopper II. Perry was highly valued by his peers and the many blind vendors that he served. His professionalism and his advice and guidance that he provided assisted those he served and will be sorely missed. Perry retired September of 2014 after 37 years of service to Alabama’s BEP. In 2007 he received the distinguished ‘Grider Award” presented for his significant contributions in working for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Perry has been actively involved in helping persons who are blind or visually impaired for over 37 years. His efforts have resulted in fuller, more meaningful, productive, and independent lives of each person he served.
Perry began his work for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (BEP) in 1977 as a BEP Representative providing dedicated and quality service. In September of 1997 Perry was promoted to BEP’s Assistant Director and has been a persistent advocate for blind vendors. Each and every decision he makes is with the best interest of BEP and its participants at heart. We will surely miss his smile and his positive approach to his work and those he served.