Obituary: John W. Hopkins (June 25, 1949 – Feb. 23, 2012)

John W. Hopkins, 62, of Brookings, passed away Feb. 23, 2012, surrounded by his family, at his home, after a three-year battle with cancer.

John was born June 25, 1949, in Syracuse, Kan., to Luther and Lois (Puyear) Hopkins.

He spent his early years in Johnson, Kan., with his grandmother until he and his mother moved to Los Gatos, Calif.

While attending Westmont High School in Saratoga, Calif., John met Nancy Ballard. The two fell in love and were married Jan. 20, 1968, in Reno, Nev.

John entered the termite field, starting in an entry-level position but working his way up to inspector. He worked for a couple of different companies in the San Francisco Bay area before moving to the Sacramento area where he and Nancy founded their own company – Hopkins Termite Control.  They operated the company for 11 years and sold it to one of their employees. They then began a construction company: John Hopkins General Contracting that they operated until John’s health forced them to retire in 2009.

In 2004, John and Nancy purchased property overlooking the ocean and the mouth of the Winchuck River and built their dream home.  Although they were in Brookings for only eight years, John and Nancy made many valuable friendships.

John enjoyed gardening and had built a greenhouse; he could grow anything. He also liked fishing, photography and following the stock market. John was also an accomplished cook, making homemade bread and other signature items. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed.

Survivors include his high school sweetheart Nancy Hopkins, his wife of 44 years, of Brookings; sons Brett Hopkins of Brookings and Eric Hopkins of Shingle Springs, Calif.; grandchildren Brady Hopkins and his wife Brianna, Brandy Hopkins, Kyle Johnson, Shane Hopkins and Chad Hopkins, great-granddaughter Calli; brothers Ray and Larry Hopkins, Tom Davis; and a sister.

John was preceded in death by his stepfather Donald Davis, and his mother Lois Davis-McKirahan

A celebration of John’s life will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Capella By The Sea in Azalea Park, Brookings.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.

Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel.

— Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel