Gary Lee Hopkins

Gary Hopkins was born on April 3, 1936 in Olympia, Washington to Leonard and Norma (Cook) Hopkins. He passed away at his home in Tumwater on May 24, 2014. He grew up mostly, in the Olympia/Tumwater area. At the age of 12, he began hiking and camping in the Olympics, with his oldest friend, Don Howe. In high school, he joined the car club C.O.G.S., making lifelong friends there. Gary graduated from Olympia High School in 1954.

While skating with friends, he met the Love of his Life, Barbara Jorgenson of Dupont, WA. The happy couple married on August 12, 1956, in the Lakewood Church. They moved to Tumwater, residing there ever since. Since the mid 1960’s, he was hugely involved in the Little Baseball Association (LBA). He coached his 3 oldest sons, was president of the association, and assisted Bobbi with coaching their youngest son's team. Gary was instrumental in the development of the 6-field LBA park, in Olympia, one of which bears his name. He was passionate about the LBA belief, that every child deserved a chance to play.

Gary and Bobbi joined the Olympia Square Dance Association in early 1970, dancing with the Do-Si-Do’s for 15 years. They were joined by their sons, dancing in the Swinging Sweethearts. The friends they made there, became fixtures in “the family”, that remain to this day. He loved camping and shared that love with the entire family. Including close friends, and anyone willing come along. Since weather was always an unknown, and cancelling was not an option, he was the original “blue tarp camper”. Gary often hiked with his sons and friends, always in the Olympics, the mountains he loved.

He spent his early career at Spoon Automotive, working at the parts counter. In 1976, he took a job at the Thurston County Road Shop. He started as parts manager and, in February 2003, retired as Manager of the Equipment Maintenance Shop.

Gary's family history was very important to him. He was proud, family pictures he donated, were published in the book, Images of America, Tumwater.

He was preceded in death by his father (Leonard Hopkins), step-father (Troy Saeger), mother, (Norma Seager), first-born grandson (Timothy), and his wife, Barbara “Bobbi” Hopkins.

He is survived by four sons and their wives: Terrell & Myrna, Tim & Liz, Scott & Lori, Shawn & Carly, his daughter: Robin (Aronovitch) Mikealson, grandchildren: Justin, Micah, Alisha, Tara, Cady, Danny, Christopher, Kayla, Nicolette, Sullivan, Jackson, Aaron, and Megan, great grandchildren: Oscar, Joe, JamiEllen, Brenton, and, Julien. Also a sister Christine and niece Scarlett Gossan.

He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and the many people he touched with his humor, caring and respect. Few finer men, have ever walked this earth.

Services will be held Sunday, June 8th, at 1:00 pm. at Mills & Mills, 5725 Littlerock Rd, Tumwater, WA. Reception/Potluck immediately to follow. Feel free to bring your favorite dish.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.