Second Court of Appeals

Justice Place 2

Harry Watt Hopkins (1985 to 1987)

Harry Watt Hopkins was born January 22, 1927, in Weatherford, Texas.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and his law degree at Southern Methodist University.

While in college, Hopkins volunteered for duty in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After returning to Texas and earning his law degree, he served as Assistant City Attorney of Dallas and practiced law with the firm Law, Snakard, and Gambill before being appointed by Governor Preston Smith as judge of the 43rd Judicial District Court.  In 1985, he was appointed by Governor Mark White to the Second Court of Appeals.  He retired in 1987 and continued to serve as a senior judge until 2003.

Hopkins was very civic-minded and served in leadership roles with many community organizations, including Parker County United Way and the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce. He served as Weatherford’s mayor from 1956 to 1958 and was named Weatherford’s most outstanding citizen in 1980.

Hopkins died on April 23, 2004, and was buried in Weatherford, Texas.