Roy Hoppmeyer is the son of the late Roy E. Hoppmeyer and the late Audrey Durr Crockett. Born in New Orleans, La, in 1950, he was raised solely by his mother, and was actively employed from the age of 10 years old. His first job was delivering fried chicken on his bicycle. Growing up, Roy was close to his Grandma Hoppmeyer, and he fondly remembered his old scout leader who ran his troop with army discipline. That discipline served Roy well when enlisted in the U.S. Army. He graduated from Fortier Senior High School and attended Southwestern University in Lafayette, LA. Working for Ecolab after college, Roy learned about commercial detergents and while residing in Mobile, AL, he created Workhorse Chemicals and sold chemicals for cleaning industrial equipment in chicken plants. He moved the business to Waldron AR, where it grew and became successful, but Roy tired of the travel involved. Later, when he acquired an old hardware building, he started Wildhorse Pawn. Always a hustler, and lover of deals, Roy enjoyed the challenges and variety of the pawn business.
Roy acquired a 120-acre farm in Blackfork, AR were he lived with his dog, Boudreau and his cat Merlin. He became active in the volunteer fire department and enjoyed being a part of the Blackfork community. At various times he raised goats, cattle, and horses at the farm. Always a New Orleans boy at heart, he had to return to NOLA from time to time so he could eat his fill of boiled blue crabs. Roy loved crawfish boils, telling Cajun jokes, and cooking authentic Cajun food. He had a deep love of the ocean and sailing.
Roy is the beloved nephew of the late Calvin and Reggie Hoppmeyer, and first cousin of Jacquelaine H. Kennedy who was married to the late Donald, Michelle H. Bonin who is married to Danny, and Calvin C Hoppmeyer, Jr. who is married to Stephanie. There are multiple nieces and nephews plus additional children from these marriages.
Roy’s memorial celebration of life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Waldron High School Auditorium.
