David R. Hopkins

David R. Hopkins, of St. Augustine, passed away at the age of 79 on Dec. 16, 2017. He will be dearly missed by many, including his wife of 55 years, Gloria Ann Burris Hopkins, his three children, Bruce Hopkins, Sharon Genereaux and Rachel Hopkins, and six grandchildren, Samuel, Sara and Zachary Hopkins, Ben and Grace Genereaux, and Lena Cook, plus many nieces and nephews.

Behind his stoic disposition was a kind-hearted, generous man, who valued integrity above all. David was a proud Boston native and devoted Red Sox fan, a history buff and avid traveler. He wasn't afraid to live life to its fullest and would often tell stories of his adventures from every corner of the world.

David graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts in chemical engineering. He went on to enjoy great success as a businessman and entrepreneur, opening the European market for Johnson Plastic Machinery, co-founding Extrusion Dies, Inc., and ultimately founding Complex, Inc. in 1984 in St. Augustine, a town he fell in love with on his honeymoon. He served two terms as a Wisconsin State Representative in a "brief effort to save the world". Throughout this amazing career, he considered his children his life's work and believed nothing else was important, by comparison. In his own words: "I am intensely proud of our children and grandchildren, all that they have accomplished, and most of all, of the fine, good people that they are."

David was pre-deceased by parents, Mary and Leo Hopkins and siblings, Richard, Clifford, Gerald, Robert, and Carol Hopkins and Barbara Buckley. He was a caring man, brilliant, successful and loved. He made his impact on this earth and will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. John's County Council on Aging Integrative Memory Enhancement Program.