John B. Hopkins

Family graveside services were held on Tuesday, January 26 in Chico for John Blaine Hopkins, loving husband, father and grandfather, who passed away Tuesday, January 19 in the company of his family. Having recently celebrated his 91st birthday, John was looking forward to celebrating his upcoming 70th wedding anniversary and enjoyed spending time with his wife and daughter. Together they traveled to many countries, went on cruises, and visited landmarks and historic sites throughout the United States. John was born on October 6, 1924 in San Francisco and grew up in the bay area with his mother, Naomi Flora Hopkins, and his older sisters, Jane and Ann. As the "man of the house", John learned responsibility at a young age, and he heeded his country's call during World War II. He joined the Navy in 1942, attending University of the Pacific Naval College. He toured the South Pacific until the war ended and achieved the rank of Ensign receiving his commission at Columbia University. Upon the surrender of Japan, John and his captain became the first Americans to enter the country. Following the war John married Elizabeth Ruth Greene on June 22, 1946 at Trinity United Methodist Church and settled in northern California, where, in addition to becoming a teacher and raising his daughter, he also coached high school level sports and served as the first football coach at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Ca. He taught at Chico High School and he was one of the first teachers at Pleasant Valley High School. He received a Master's Degree at Stanford University. His teaching career lasted over 40 years, and John eventually became a professor of mathematics and department chair at Butte College for nearly 20 years as well as teaching at CSU, Chico. Upon retirement, he became active in the California Retired Teachers' Association where he served as the state President Elect and then President. He went on to serve in the California Senior Senate at the state capital, creating and lobbying for the passage of laws benefiting senior citizens. He also wrote a column about the senior lifestyle that consistently appeared in the Enterprise Record. In recent years, John served on the Bidwell Mansion Board and was president of the California State University, Chico, Alumni Association. He also received many accolades for his work and achievements in the community including the Masonic Lodge's Outstanding Work in the field of Education award and two Educational Hall of Fame awards for "Most Inspirational Teacher". John will be missed by a "community" of survivors, including his wife, Elizabeth, his daughter, Mary Priscilla Scott (Alois Jr.), his nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, his sister Ann Rutledge and several nieces and nephews. His son, John, preceded him in death in 1951. In lieu of flowers he has requested donations be made to the Butte Humane Society.