Tommy Allen Hopson was born in Hartselle, Alabama, on July 7, 1968, son of Patricia Wright Hopson and the late Johnny Allen Hopson. When he was two years old, his parents moved to Temple, Georgia.
He leaves behind, his wife, Carmen Tant Hopson, of Carrollton; his mother, Pat Wright Hopson, of Decatur, Alabama; his brother, Michael Hopson, of Temple; his children, Derrek Blackmon and Sara Blackmon, of Carrollton; and special granddaughter, Malia Harris, of Griffin, Georgia.
Tommy began his career with Carroll County Fire Rescue in 1990. He worked hard and trained hard to become a Georgia Smoke Diver, one of his many accomplishments. Tommy was on the department’s dive team, where he was part of many water rescues and recoveries. He never turned his back on any situation; he was the one running full speed to do all he could to help those in need. Tommy continued his training in all classes that he could and became an instructor himself. He worked his way from volunteer firefighter to deputy chief and took pride in each level.
Tommy was an avid outdoorsman. He was a great hunter and used his knowledge to help teach the Georgia Hunter’s Safety Course with Georgia DNR. He assisted with the Carroll County Youth Camp, where he taught the Hunter’s Safety Course, Boat Georgia Course, and other outdoor skills to local kids. He took pride in teaching them all he could about the outdoors.
Tommy hunted several parts of the country and Canada. He especially loved his yearly trips to Texas, where he eventually became a part-time guide for spring turkey hunts at Magnum Guide Service.
Tommy loved every minute of the full life he was living and showed it every day by giving back to everyone around him.
Rest in peace brother. We got it from here and taking care of Michael. You will be forever missed. Heaven gained a special firefighter for their engine.
– Richard Blackmon