Ronald Dean Hopkins

-Perhaps the kindest man I have ever known

Ronald Dean Hopkins, 71, of Seattle passed away on March 28, 2017. He was born in a sod house on February 7, 1946 in Stapleton, Nebraska, son of the late Leroy and Helen Hopkins.  Ron served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Japan.  He married the love of his life, Carol Ruth (Garwood), in Japan in 1967.  After completing his tour of duty, Ron and Carol moved back to Nebraska and Michigan to study in preparation for becoming missionaries to Japan.  The Hopkins family moved to Japan in 1974.  When Ron and Carol moved to the United States in 1999, they lived in Mill Creek, Washington, until Carol passed away in 2008.  Ron then moved to Seattle where he had since lived.

Ron loved Japan. It was his home.  While in Japan, Ron had many jobs, which included Director of Facilities for Christian Academy in Japan.  One of his proudest moments was managing the design and construction of the new building for the school.  He played an integral part in, and cared deeply for, the community that surrounded the school.  Ron especially grew to respect and appreciate the Japanese staff whom he worked.  He loved his k-truck and working closely with the Japanese craftsman and construction workers.

Ron loved Lake Nojiri.  He made quick friends with the old farmer woman who raised blueberries on the Nokiri lake hillside and would bring home boxes of fresh blueberries, eating huge handfuls.

Ron was the bus driver for many hostel ski trips. He played and coached tennis.  He loved beautiful music, wearing handsome suits, and traveling, including taking shortcuts through the crowded streets of Tokyo and long car trips with Carol to anywhere.  In 1998, Ron earned his Baccalaureate Degree in Asian Studies from the University of Maryland through the military base in Japan.  In the US, he took up fly fishing, taking day trips to enjoy the peace of the water.  Nebraska remained close to his heart through friendships and family, as well as the smell of fresh cut grass.  His beloved cat, Jesse, comforted him when Carol passed.  For the final years of Ron's life, he enjoyed the companionship and many adventures he had with Marcia Phillips.

Above all else, he loved his wife, Carol, and his two children, Reginald and Laura, and was completely delighted by his beloved grandchildren, Arrie and Benton.  He laughed a lot and was perhaps the kindest man I have ever known.

Ron is preceded in death by his mother Helen Elmira (Foster) Hopkins, his father Leroy Benjamin Hopkins, and his brother William.  He is survived by his son Reginald and wife Solin, daughter Laura and wife Andrea, grandchildren Arrie Pearl Hopkins and Benton Manett Hopkins, and brothers Frank, Robert, Larry, James, Richard and Gregory.