Kenneth D. Hopkins' Obituary
January 25, 2020 12:30PM
Chapel of the Chimes
Kenneth D. Hopkins was born June 18, 1938 to Odessa and Delmar Hopkins in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The second of seven children, Ken grew up in Chickasha, OK, Lincoln, NE and Denver, CO. He held several unusual jobs. Ken skinned mink at a mink farm, canned fruit at Kuners Cannery and was a cook and pastry chef at Echo Lake Resort, until joining the Army. Ken was stationed at the Presidio and knew he found home.
Ken worked at Caterpillar, Inc., where he became a master machinist. He was the Chief Steward taking this position very seriously. He staged what he called a “demonstration for justice” which shut down the plant entrance as day shift left and afternoon shift arrived. He was promoted to Labor Relations manager shortly thereafter. While working at “Cat”, Ken attended UC Berkeley at night graduating with a BA in Anthropology. He continued his studies receiving a MA in Labor and Urban Studies. He later worked as a recruiter and immigration specialist at SRI, HR Manager at American President Lines, and retired as a Branch HR Manager from Digital Equipment Corp.
Ken was a Master Mason Member of Eli Baker Lodge No. 62, F&AM in Oakland, CA. He had a love affair with butterflies. He loved all types of music, especially jazz. He was a Leaders Circle SF Jazz Center member and attended all 62 Monterey Jazz Festivals. He lusted after a Baby Blue Bentley. Karin bought him two; one model to look at and a larger remote control version which he could “drive”.
Ken was a remarkably special man. To know him was to love him. Always smiling, intelligent, suave and debonair, generous, kind, selfless, precious, compassionate. Truly one of a kind!!!
Ken was taken to Mission House Hospice, Redwood City in November 2019. He enjoyed all the family and friends who came to visit. There was so much talking and laughing that the staff thought there was a party in his room most days. He came home in December where he passed in his sleep on December 21, 2019. His mother, Odessa, father, Delmar (Pops) and sister Jerelene, preceded him in death.
Ken leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 40 years Karin, brother George Wilson Jr. (Hazel), sisters, Shirley Crawford (Ray), Winifred Ward, Sharann Wilson, Mary Helen Robinson (Mackie) and a host of beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
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Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
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