Obituary of John Hoptowit

John Kennedy Hoptowit passed on April 27, 2011. He was born Sept. 21, 1966 in Cut Bank, MT. John and his family moved to Chico in 1976. John attended Chico High School, and was well known in the agriculture, welding and automotive departments for his creative projects and technical skills. He graduated in 1985. His special skills and easy going personality captured the attention of local businesses, and he quickly found work at Gene M. Jessee Manufacturing. He worked at Thomas Hydraulic for 15 years and clients appreciated the lengths to which John would go to help people. John and his wife Jennifer's relationship started out on a blind-date and blossomed at the Durham car show, where he had his award winning 1969 Chevelle on display. John fondly called Jennifer his angel and they were married at their kiwifruit farm in 2008. John enjoyed hosting gatherings for family and friends, where his love of barbeque, grilling, music and all things smoked filled people's bellies and hearts. Some of our most cherished memories of John were when he shared his zeal for outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, camping and off-roading. Fellow "Dog Knoters" enjoyed John's humor, friendship and loyalty. John had his dog Cocoa with him on all his adventures. John started his own business, Innovative Iron, seven years ago. John's ironwork, which was his life's profession and artistic passion, will live on in the homes and businesses of all the families, friends and clients he touched. John is survived by his wife, Jennifer; mother, Barbara and step-father, Mike; father, Dennis and former partner Anastacia; adopted-father, Darrell; brother, Jeremy; sister-in-law, Joanna; nieces, Emily and Elizabeth; nephew, Evan; many aunts, uncles and cousins mostly from Montana; and his adopted families the Lee's and the Jessee's. Services will be held at Durham Memorial Hall on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.