Cornelius Avery Hopson was born October 14, 1928, the second child of Cornelius Drake Hopson and Ruth Edna Eileen (Drake) Hopson on the family's farm Northwest of Phillipsburg, Kansas. Avery attended school at Iowa Union. He graduated from Phillipsburg High School in May 1946. Following high school Avery attended Fort Hays State University where he played football and attended school for a year. Then he returned to the family farm. He joined the Army in 1951. After basic training he volunteered for the 82nd Airborne Division where he served his country as a paratrooper specializing in heavy artillery. He made 13 jumps in 18 months. Avery received an honorable discharge from the Army in March 1953. He attended Kansas State University and returned to his lifelong vocation and passion of farming. Along the way he satisfied his need for adventure by participating in rodeo – particularly "Steer Wrestling". He was a member of the Kansas Amateur Cowboy Association and won the KACA "Bull Dogging" Championship in 1956.

He married Virginia Ann Munyon on August 14, 1955 at the old First Christian Church located uptown in Phillipsburg. Avery and Virginia farmed and raised their family on the Hopson Family Farm, recognized as a Farm Bureau Century Farm in 2002. Avery devoted his life to progressive farming cooperating with the Extension Service in improving his crops and experimenting with new farming techniques. His adventuresome spirit led him to be among the first to plant soybeans in the 1960's, sunflowers in the 1970's and canola in the 1980's as well as practice minimum and no-till farming. Avery built a Purebred Simmental herd using artificial insemination and sold bulls across the region. Avery also sold seed, feed and brokered hay as well as building terraces and custom baling hay. He made many friends doing so. Avery never knew a stranger.

Avery was influential in his local community. He was a charter member and was a Club Leader of the Iowa Union 4-H Club for more than 15 years. He actively encouraged his own children and members of the Club to participate in 4-H because he believed in the importance of the life skills 4-H taught. He created and sponsored the "Returning Bucket Calf" Award at the Phillips County Fair because he believed that the new Bucket Calf Project needed to instill and reward animal husbandry skills that would provide long-term value to 4-H'ers in the project. Avery's passion for rodeo allowed him an opportunity to serve on the Phillipsburg Rodeo Committee. In later years, he continued to volunteer as an usher at the Rodeo as long as his health allowed. Avery also served on the Iowa Union School Board. He served on the Freedom Township Board for many years. Avery was a member of the Iowa Union Sunday School as a boy and later became a member of the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg.

Avery is survived by his wife, Virginia, of the home; son, Clark Hopson (Rita), Phillipsburg; son, Mark Hopson (Becky), Norton; daughter, Kay McCoy (David), Sabetha; and daughter, Sally Brandon (Jay), Phillipsburg; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Avery is preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Edna Hopson, Phillipsburg; sister, Geraldine Francis, Phillipsburg; brother, James Hopson, Butler, Pennsylvania; brother, Harry Hopson, Wolf Point Montana; and daughter-in-law Edith Hopson (Clark).

Funeral services will be held Wed. Sept. 6 at 10:00 a.m. in the First Christian Church, Phillipsburg with Pastor LeRoy Herder officiating. Burial will follow in the Iowa Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Monday and 9:00 to 9:00 Tuesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorials have been established to the Phillips County 4-H or the First Christian Church