Roger Neil Hoppe of Franklin, NC went home to our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. He was 84 years old. Neil is preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Bonnie Sue Hoppe (Barrick); his parents Herman Julius Hoppe and Irene Goldie Lewis; his brothers Wilbert (Bill) Roland Hoppe, Herman (Bud) Lewis Hoppe and his sister Dorothy (Dot) Irene Bumbalough.

Neil is survived by his life partner of 30 years Peggy Milton; his daughter Linda Sue Hoppe Maxwell of Franklin, NC and her husband Bobby and their children Nina Jamieson, Kaitlin Sara, Robert Charles and Victoria Christine; his daughter Laura Hoppe Omohundro of Alexandria, VA and her husband George and their children Calvin Charlton and Cara Marie; Peggy's daughters Katherine Milton Gutierrez and her husband Jorge; Karissa Milton McLaughlin and her husband Dan; his brother Thomas Jay Hoppe; his sister-in-law Martyne Hoppe; his brother-in-law Glen Bumbalough; 5 great grandchildren and 27 nieces and nephews.

Neil was born on October 15, 1939, in Baltimore, MD and moved to Miami, FL with his family in 1949. He graduated from Miami High School in 1957 then joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves, the beginning of his life-long aviation career.

Neil married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Sue Barrick in 1962. They lived in Nigeria for 18 months while Neil worked for Pan African Airlines. They moved back to Miami where Neil worked for Eastern Airlines for 30 years. He retired from Eastern in 1988 then later started his own company International Aircraft Electric. In 1992 he sold IAE and retired again! Hurricane Andrew devastated his and Bonnie's home, but they re-built and stayed in Saga Bay. Sadly, Bonnie passed away from cancer in November 1993.

Neil was introduced to Peggy Milton by mutual friends, and they began a wonderful 30-year partnership. After Neil and Peggy moved to Franklin, NC they operated the Macon County Airport for 20 years. They helped the airport grow from a general aviation business to a highly regarded airport for charter and corporate air travel.

In 2011, Neil received the FAA's Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recognizing over 50 years in the aviation industry.

After retiring from Macon County Airport, Neil did not want to be a couch potato! He had a garage built at his home so he could continue his hobby of restoring classic California Special Mustangs. Many Mustang enthusiasts contacted him for advice and respected his knowledge of the cars.

A memorial service will be held at the Macon Funeral Home, 261 Iotla Street, Franklin, NC 28734 on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation hours are 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to James Bryson (memo: Neil Hoppe Memorial Fund) c/o 668 Harrison Avenue, Franklin, NC 28734. Funds will be used for financial assistance for High School Student Pilot Training.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.