Michael Stephen "Mike" Hopkins

Michael Stephen "Mike" Hopkins lived a life too full to fit neatly into dates and titles. Born January 7, 1943, in Anderson, SC, as the only child to Cecil and Sybil Boyce Hopkins, he grew up with a sharp mind, an adventurous spirit, and a knack for making things happen. He passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, at the age of 82, after a sudden cancer diagnosis - leaving behind a lifetime of stories, achievements, and the kind of memories that only someone like Mike could create.

Mike was married to Betty Sue Hughes Hopkins until her passing in 2018. Before that, he shared many years - and three beautiful children - with his former wife, Nancy Campbell Hopkins. His family was the steady center of his whirlwind life, no matter how far his work took him from home.

A proud Clemson University graduate and loyal Tigers fan, Mike built a remarkable 35-year career as an executive project director with Fluor Corporation. His job took him to every corner of the globe and put him at the helm of some of the world's most ambitious projects: the Orange County Performing Arts Center in California, the Mobil World Headquarters in Fairfax, VA, and the Vanderbilt Wing expansion at the Grove Park Inn - where he cleverly brought both sons along to work on a construction crew during their "summer and winter breaks," giving them an up-close look at the work he loved.

Perhaps his most daring professional chapter was the seven years he spent in Abu Dhabi, where he led the creation of an entirely new city - Al Falah - from the sands of the desert, built to house 80,000 people. For Mike, it wasn't just about blueprints and deadlines; it was about vision, ingenuity, and the thrill of seeing the impossible take shape.

When Mike retired in 2012, he didn't slow down. He split his time between Palm Coast, FL, and Greenville, SC. In Florida, he could often be found navigating his boat along the Intracoastal Waterway, sport fishing, and following sports car races - a natural extension of his love for speed and engineering. Greenville kept him close to family, friends, and of course, Death Valley on game day.

Mike had an insatiable curiosity and a quick wit. He devoured books on history, debated the finer points of politics and technology, and never missed a chance to learn something new. He loved cars; owning six at a time-not because he needed them, but because each one sparked joy. He played along with Jeopardy! every night on TV, and regardless of who he was playing, he was an undefeated champion.

Above all, Mike loved deeply - his children, his grandchildren, his friends, and his Clemson Tigers. He taught by example: work hard, explore widely, stay curious, and take the scenic route.

He is survived by his children, Michelle Hopkins Sullivan of Atlanta, GA; M. Stephen "Steve" Hopkins, Jr. of Greenville, SC; and Mark Shell Hopkins of Anderson, SC; and his grandchildren, Joseph Blake Sullivan of Palm Beach, FL; Lauren Campbell Sullivan of New York, NY; and Stephen Brady Hopkins of Greenville, SC.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Anderson, SC.

The family invites you to share your own "Mike stories" and condolences at www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com - because if you knew Mike, you've got a story worth telling.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting WWW.MCDOUGALDFUNERALHOME.COM.