Arvah Branch "Mike" Hopkins, Jr.

Branch Hopkins, Jr., better known as Mike. He left us on August 24, his 78th birthday.

Mike is the son of Becky Lou and Arvah Branch Hopkins, former City Manager of

Tallahassee.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Vicki, three daughters he adored,

Ashley Gouras (Chris), Shelby Vanderlan (Blake), and Tori Haley (Brian), his caregiver

and dear family friend, Fran Weeks, and his constant companion, his lab, Stryker.

His eight grandchildren, Tripp, Kendyll and Branch Hopkins Gouras, Colton and

Westen Arvah Vanderlan, and Bryson, Nolyn and Lawson Haley were his pride and joy.

He loved his role of Grandpa and made it his mission to make them laugh at his

silliness. He treasured each of them.

Mike loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and in his younger days,

training Labrador Retrievers and running them in field trials. He loved history, John

Wayne, and watching FSU football with his children and grandchildren. His very favorite

times were spent with his family at the place he held most dear to his heart, St. Teresa

Beach. Mike’s great grandfather, Arvah Hopkins, along with three other Tallahassee

men, founded St. Teresa Beach, naming it after Arvah’s daughter, Teresa, who was the

granddaughter of Florida’s sixth Governor, John Branch. This history meant a great

deal to him and he passed his love and pride for his heritage to his daughters and

grandchildren. St. Teresa was where he always wanted to be.

A celebration of his life was held on August 25. Our hearts are so full of love for

him and he will be missed every minute of every day by us all