Lowell "Hoppy" Mounts

Lowell “Hoppy” Mounts, 76, of Gilbert departed this life peacefully from his home Tuesday May 7, 2024.  He was born on December 4, 1947 to Leonard and Iva Jewell (Browning) Mounts at Neds Branch, WV.  He was named after Mr. Lowell Phipps, an educator in the Gilbert community.  At a young age, he developed a love of the old western “Hopalong Cassidy”.  As a result, Leonard quickly started calling his son “Hoppy”, and it stuck. 

Hoppy was the first-born son to Leonard and Jewel.  He was born shortly after his father was discharged from the Army Air Force in Hawaii following WWII.  Jewel gave birth to three more children; her oldest daughter, Linda, her second son, Jerry, and finally the youngest, Carol.  Leonard was then tragically killed in an automobile accident, leaving his wife to raise their four children with Hoppy being the oldest at 12 years of age.  Hoppy began working part time jobs, in addition to school, and helped his mother provide for their family.  He never stopped working or went without a job for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Gilbert High School in 1966, he became interested in mortuary science.  When asked once by his son why he chose mortuary work, his response was he felt he could do a better job at being compassionate with families.  In 1970, Hoppy took a job working for Melvin Brooks Sr., as the “General Assistant” for the Brooks Ambulance Service and Funeral Home.  Several years later, he attended Southern WV Community and Technical College; and in 1976, after six years of working under Mr. Brooks, he was able to save and borrow enough to attend the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science where he earned the Bill Pierce Award after being elected "Most Professional Graduate" by his peers.  In 1978, he returned to Gilbert and established Mounts Funeral Home following the closure of Brooks Funeral Home.  Hoppy would spend the next 45 years serving families of the Gilbert and surrounding communities, always striving to set the highest standards of compassion, quality, service, and value. 

Hoppy married Linda Kay Lee on June 26, 1976 at the Gilbert Missionary Baptist Church.  In 1982, she gave birth to their first son, Joshua Lowell Mounts, and in 1986, their second son, Jordan Lee Mounts.  Hoppy and Linda celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary several months before she passed away in November 2016.

Hoppy was a good father to his boys and husband to his wife.  He worked very hard to provide for his family and care for those that entrusted their loved one to him.  He was a well-known jokester and loved to kid with the many friends and families he served.  He wore many hats in his life as a father, business owner, husband, and friend, and those that knew him well, or worked for him, knew his very serious and professional side too.  He was very independent minded, not quick to forgive, and was very private about his personal life.    But one characteristic always stood out regardless of the situation, Hoppy had a big heart for people. 

In addition to his father, Hoppy is preceded in death by his mother: Iva Jewell Mounts; his wife: Linda Kay (Lee) Mounts; his brother-in-law: Gary Butcher; sister-in-law: Elaine New; and his favorite dog: Ohara.

He is survived by his two sons: Joshua Lowell (Cassie) Mounts, and Jordan Lee Mounts; three grandsons: Jacob Lowell, Ethan Gregory, and Elijah Joseph Mounts; one granddaughter: Olivia LeeAnn Mounts; one brother: Jerry (Marcella) Mounts; two sisters: Linda Wiley and Carol Butcher; one sister-in-law: Susan Coe; nieces: Cara (JR Thompson) New, Julie (Andy) Grimmett, Gina (Barrett) Justice, Cayla Butcher, Candice (Butch) Browning, Andrea (Kenneth) Trent, Rose (Michael) Harris, Lisa (Brent) Leishman, and Jaquetta (Todd) Lester; nephews: Aaron (Tammy) Wiley, Danny Wiley, Bobby (Jamie) New, and a host of great nieces and nephews.    

Friends may gather with the family Sunday May 12, 2024 from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Mounts Funeral Home Chapel for visitation.  Funeral services will commence Monday May 13, at 1:00 pm with Pastors: Jonas Trent, Danny Ward, Denny May, Diamond Carter, Gary Browning, and Homer Blankenship Jr. officiating.  Burial will follow at the Mounts Family Cemetery, Gilbert Creek Rd., where Masonic burial rites will be offered by the Iaeger Lodge #148. 

Serving as Pallbearers will be: Erick Browning, Jordan Murphy, Joshua Mounts, Barrett Justice, Aaron Wiley, Mikee Ward, Shawn Sansom, and Jacob Mounts.  Honorary Pallbearers: Joe Blankenship, Keevin Walls, Ray “Coonie” Blankenship, Gary Browning, Kenny Smith, Bill Cantrell, Jordan Mounts, Jerry Mounts, Homer Blankenship, Jonas Trent, Howard Lee, Danny Ward, Denny May, Diamond Carter, and Homer Blankenship Jr.

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