The Rev. Frank G. Jopp, Jr, age 89, passed away on October 18, 2025, at home with his wife by his side.
He was born on January 2, 1936, in Bridgeport, CT to Frank Sr. and Ruth Jopp. After moving to Stratford, CT he attended Eli Whitney Elementary School and Stratford High School.
He graduated Eastern Baptist College (now University) with a bachelor’s degree of Arts and earned his Master of Theology at Eastern Baptist Seminary. His ordination was at Stratford Baptist Church, and he was called to serve as pastor at the First Baptist Church of St Albans, VT.
In the summer of 1966, Frank enlisted in the Army and arrived in 1967 at the US Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Hamilton, NY and spent 8 weeks in basic training. Upon completion, he was assigned to Fort Dix, NJ where he pastored soldiers in basic training.
In January of 1968, Frank was deployed to Vietnam and arrived on the afternoon of the Tet Offensive. He was assigned to a major support unit in the Central Highlands near An Khe. Upon his return, Frank was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. In 1971, Frank was deployed to Vietnam for a second tour, this time to Da Nang.
Following the war, he was stationed in Mainz, Germany, and then to Fort Hamilton, NY where he graduated from Long Island University with a Master of Science in Education. In 1976, Frank was stationed to Fort Carson, CO where he was 2nd Brigade Chaplain and then Deputy Division Chaplain of the 4th Infantry Division, followed by Staff Chaplain of Evans Army Hospital.
In 1982, he acquired the Clinical Pastoral Education accreditation at Brooke Army Medical Center in TX. In 1983, he was stationed to the 34th General Hospital in Augsburg, Germany. In 1986, Frank returned stateside to Eisenhower Army Medical Center in GA as Chief of Pastoral Care.
After 20 years of service, he retired to Colorado Springs, CO, returning to the beautiful west side home he purchased in 1976 with a view of Pikes Peak.
Post retirement, Frank was Associate Pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church and the First Congregational Church, as well as the interim pastor of Black Forest Community Church. He obtained a musical degree from Nazarene Bible College and conducted a church youth musical tour in three states.
Frank auditioned for the Colorado Springs Chorale where his resounding, deep bass voice sang the Hallelujah Chorus for one of the performances during their concerts throughout the year. Wanting to further his personal knowledge, Frank signed on with H&R Block for two tax seasons. He also served on a committee with clergy from downtown Colorado Springs area churches for an interfaith dialogue.
His travels took him all over Europe and the United States and included sponsoring a pilgrimage to Israel. His passion for music included but was not limited to his love of classical music, in which he learned to play Moonlight Sonata on the piano by heart. He also taught himself guitar and built his own dulcimer, which he used to entertain many gathered together across the globe.
Among Frank’s vast accomplishments, his family was especially important to him. He relocated to Florida in 2022 to be nearer to them.
He is survived by his wife, Elfriede M. Jopp, whom he met at Eastern Baptist College in German II class. She tutored him so he could pass the class. On December 20, 1958, they were married, and in 2024 they celebrated their 66th anniversary. He is also survived by daughters Deborah Jopp and Carol Jopp of Florida, and preceded in death by daughter Johanna Jopp Olson. Other survivors include his brother Ernest Jopp, and his grandchildren John Olson, Daniel Olson, Thomas Stilley, and Summer Olson, all of Florida.
A full military honors ceremony for the family and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
