Pat Hopper:
CLASS OF 1970
Bartlett High SchoolClass of 1970
Bartlett, TN
Lincoln SchoolClass of 1966
Alameda, CA
Scenic Hills Elementary SchoolClass of 1966
Memphis, TN
Otis Elementary SchoolClass of 1962
Alameda, CA
Pat's Story
Life
"...he not busy being born is busy dying..."
from "It's Alright, Ma, I'm Only Bleeding,"
Bob Dylan, 1965
Upon graduation from high school, I began to
aimlessly wander from job to job, and back & forth from Memphis to New Orleans. I worked in several factories, and intermittently registered
for classes at Memphis State, as necessary to maintain a student deferment. When student deferments became a thing of
he past, I was pleasantly surprised to be classified 4-F due to a congenital lower back condition. In spite of this "infirmity," I worked in several factories (Southern Metal Co., ArrowGlass Boat & Manufacturing, Memphis Sash & Door,
others), restaurants (The Godfather, Louisiana Cousin, and in New Orleans, Commander's Palace), and decking on the river (Memphis Marine, Ellis Marine, Warner & Tamble, B&R Dredge Co.).
I was a Veterinarian's Assistant for a year at Raines Road Animal Clinic. I played guitar and sang for change and beer in numerous local bars in Memphis and New Orleans, as well as on the streets
of the French Quarter. Too hip, Jackson.
In Spring of 1975, I joined the Navy in Slidell, Louisiana. I never mentioned my 4-F status, and it never came up. I joined for six years from the get-go. That was necessary to be assured of advanced electronics training. Thus, the first 1 1/2 years of my Navy career was spent in classrooms. After ET-A school in Great Lakes, IL, I went to training in satellite communications in San Diego, CA. I was then assigned to the USS Paul Revere, LPA-248. I spent the next several years partying....Expand for more
Cut to the chase: I left the Navy in Spring of 1981. I was determined to avoid electronics at all costs. I returned to Tiger High, and completed a B.A. in psychology, and M.S. in Counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental
Health Service Provider designation. Who'd a thunk it?
While in school, I worked for the now defunct Northeast Community Mental Health Center. In 1987 I began working in Mental Health Services of Shelby County Division of Corrections (this is the
largest prison in the state, the facility that Memphians insist on calling "the penal farm."). I retired from SCDC in August, 2007.
I joined an established mental health practice (HealthQuest, 58 Timber Creek Drive, Cordova, TN 38018), and I am trying to build enough of a caseload to make a living.
Since May of 1994, I have spent every weekend and holiday dealing cards in Tunica County, Mississippi. I was at Fitzgeralds for six years, and I have been at Gold Strike since 2000. It's a hoot.
In 1983 I married Jane Ann Hill. In 1984, our daughter, Cassandra, was born. Cassandra graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, TN in May, 2006. She is now living in Milwaukee, WI, and working for H&R Block.
Our son, Trevor, was born in 1992. He has been homeschooled his entire life. He is a competitive
triathlete, swimmer and runner. In his age group, he was the #2 off-road triathlete in the country in his age group in 2007, according to USA Triathlon. Look for us in London in 2012.
Peace Out.
Patrick Hopper, MS, NCC, LPC/MHSP
It's a trip, ain't it?
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