John W.

Hopkins

John W. Hopkins passed away at his home in Brookings surrounded by his family after a 3 year battle with cancer on February 23, 2012. He was 62. John was born June 25, 1949 in Syracuse, Kansas to Luther and Lois (Puyear) Hopkins. He spent his early years in Johnson, KS 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 on January 20, 1968 in Reno, Nevada. 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 Bay area before moving to the Sacramento area where he and Nancy founded their own company: Hopkins Termite Control. They operated that 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 only in Brookings for 8 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 wife and high school sweetheart of 44 years, Nancy Hopkins of Brookings, sons, Brett Hopkins of Brookings and Eric Hopkins of Shingle Springs, CA, grandchildren, Brady Hopkins and his wife, Brianna, Brandy Hopkins, Kyle Johnson, Shane Hopkins and Chad Hopkins, great granddaughter, Callie, brothers, Ray and Larry Hopkins, Tom Davis and one sister. John was preceded in death by his stepfather, Donald Davis and mother, Lois Davis-McKirahan A celebration of John's life will be held at 3:00pm on March 10, 2012 at Capella By The Sea in Azalea Park in Brookings.