Brian Joseph Hopkins

Brian Hopkins, age 57, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025, surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home. Brian battled cancer with strength and courage, all the while ensuring that his family and friends knew how much he loved them.

Brian was raised in Waitsburg, Washington, alongside his sister Angela, by their parents Charles and Arlene Hopkins. Brian participated in the school band, played basketball, spent time with friends, and graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1985. Following high school, Brian went to college for Auto Body Mechanics, held a career in car sales, then transitioned to welding, where he held a career as a welder at Key Technology in Walla Walla for 26 years.

Brian married his childhood love, Tanya Engstrand of Dayton, Washington, in Waitsburg on August 20, 1994, and raised their family in the following years. Throughout his years of fatherhood, Brian attended concerts, sports events, award ceremonies, graduations, parties, and family dinners in honor of his children. Brian, side by side with his wife Tanya, were always the loudest to cheer for their children’s successes and always there to pick them up when they needed support. Becoming a Papa was one of Brian’s greatest joys. He loved spending time with each of his grandchildren, spoiling them, and making memories.

Brian is preceded in death by his father, Charles Hopkins, and mother, Arlene Hopkins. He is survived by his Wife, Tanya Hopkins; children, Dakota and Jamie Hopkins, Jessie (Hopkins) Schavrien, Austin Hopkins; his grandchildren, Autumn Hopkins, Cheyanne Hopkins, Brooklynn Hopkins, Davina Hopkins, Kairi Schavrien, Soren Schavrien; his sister and brother-In-law, Angela and Brett Buchanan; nephew, Crayton Buchanan; and niece, Devyn Buchanan.

Brian’s Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Lion’s Building located at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds at 12 o’clock noon. Open invitation to all who knew and loved Brian, we encourage you to bring a dish for a potluck and a memory to share.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Spokane through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.