Beuford Nolan Hopkins

Buford \u0027\u0027Buff\u0027\u0027 Nolan Hopkins, long time Cottonwood resident, died March 7, 2005 at Good Samaritan Hospital, City of Hope in Phoenix after a year long battle with Leukemia. He was born in Indian Springs, TN, on April 5, 1942 (Easter Sunday) to H. L. and Flora Hopkins, the youngest of four sons. When Buff was four years old the family moved to northern Arizona and he considered himself an Arizonan. Buff graduated from Flagstaff High School and after graduation he joined the U.S. Army. While stationed in Alaska, Buff served in one of the units that assisted the people of Anchorage during and after the 9.5 earthquake that devastated the state in 1964. When he returned to Flagstaff after his discharge from the Army he became the Service Manager for the Coca-Cola plant in Flagstaff. From that position he moved on to sell institutional food all over Northern Arizona putting 100,00 miles a year on his car to cover his territory. In 1972 Buff moved to Cottonwood and was involved in several businesses including an auto wrecking yard, managing the batch plant for Copperstate Redi-Mix and an auto repair shop. Also, during this 20-year period Buff spent a lot of time on the bandstand playing bass guitar along with his brother Bill in the very popular western dance band, The Mustangs. The band was in demand all over the state and hardly a weekend passed that The Mustangs were not playing to the great delight of their many fans. The last business Buff and his wife, Karen, owned was a Big A Auto Parts (now Car Quest) in Cottonwood. After his retirement Buff was able to devote time to his passionate interest in old cars, their history and restoration. He also spent a great deal of time with his \u0027\u0027girls\u0027\u0027 - his three dogs who shared his heart and home. Buff was a member of the local chapter of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America and served the club in several capacities. He served as Master of Verde Masonic Lodge #14 on three different occasions and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Buff is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Karen, his daughters Tracy Todd Farnsworth of Utah, Marie Lockett of Missouri and grandchildren Ashlee, Trent, Jaden, Santana and Andrew. Also surviving are his three older brothers Wayman (Loretta) Hopkins of Willcox, AZ; Bill (Louise) Hopkins of Cottonwood; Stan (Judy) Hopkins of Thompson Fall, MT; sister-in-law Nancy (George) Cronin of Alto, NM and many nieces and nephews. Buff was a compassionate, loving, honest man who was brave to the end and he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., Cottonwood, AZ. If desired, Memorial Donations may be made to the Florence Foundation for Animals, c/o Dr. Bruce Webber, Verde Veterinary Hospital, 1201 E. Cherry Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326.