Published: September 10, 2007 02:07 pm      

Local Marine injured in Iraq dies at home

MONTROSE — A local Marine who was injured in Iraq two years ago died Saturday at home on the Marine base where he was stationed.

Judy Hopper said she could tell her son Nick was in agony on his last visit home.

“I could see the pain in his eyes,” Mrs. Hopper of Montrose said today. “I could see his ups and downs.”

Sgt. Nick Hopper, 27, died at 5 p.m. Saturday at his home on the Marine base in Cherry Point, N.C., according to Mrs. Hopper. She added autopsy results are pending.

Sgt. Hopper had been seriously wounded June 17, 2005, when a land mine exploded while he was providing security for a convoy. He had jumped off the vehicle he was riding on to assist somebody trapped in a vehicle after a previous land mine explosion when another mine exploded, causing serious arm and leg injuries.

Mrs. Hopper said her son had been in nearly continuous pain since the explosion.

“All of it was related to the injury,” she said. “When he was presenting to a group, he looked good and sounded good, but he was in pain.”

Sgt. Hopper came home for the last time last month with wife Natividad and son Andrew. Grandparents Art and Lavonda Joergens were grand marshals for the Effingham County Fair parade, and Nick was one of several family members riding behind the lead car.

“It was a joyful time, but we saw him in a lot of pain,” Mrs. Hopper said.

Mrs. Hopper said she is thankful her son is in God’s hands.

“I am a mother who is thankful that God has taken him out of his pain,” she said. “I know he is happy and content.

“God is with Nick and he is taking better care of him than we could.”

Mrs. Hopper said she was notified of Nick’s death by two Marines who came to her door at 12:15 a.m. Sunday. She said she was shocked.

“I had gotten a phone call two years ago (notifying her of Nick’s wounding) and I thought we were home free,” she said.

Mrs. Hopper said the Marines stayed at her home until family and friends could arrive to stay with her.

Sgt. Hopper had been on intermittent light duty since the explosion. Among other things, he had developed a plan for convoy safety based on his own field experiences. He was awaiting a medical discharge.

“He was hoping to be out this fall,” Mrs. Hopper said.

Funeral services are pending through M.A. Neal Funeral Home in Effingham, Mrs. Hopper said. She added burial with full military honors would take place at the Camp Butler cemetery near Springfield.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.