Gunnery Sgt. Mark A. Hopkins, 34, of New Windsor, NY, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2017 in Mississippi.

Mark was born in Ypsilanti, MI, raised in Chesapeake, VA, and graduated from Great Bridge High School in 2001. In 2014 he married Patricia, 32, and they have three children, Wyatt (2),Abby (1) and Lewis (4 months). Mark and his family are active congregants at Goodwill Church in Montgomery, NY.

Gunnery Sgt. Hopkins was part of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 (VMGR-452, MAG 49, 4th MAW) based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh,NY. Mark joined the U.S. Marine Corps on September 4, 2001 at age 18 and most recently served as a tactical systems operator/mission specialist. He was deployed as part of Contingency Operations ISO JTF -536/Humanitarian Mission, January 2005; Operation Enduring Freedom, August 2005 to September 2005; Operation Enduring Freedom 14.1, May to June 2014; Operation Enduring Freedom 14.2, July to August 2014.

Gunnery Sgt. Hopkins received the following awards and decorations: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (5); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4); Humanitarian Service Medal (4); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National
Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Letter of Appreciation; Certificate of Appreciation.

Mark is survived by his mother Deborah Hopkins of Belleville, MI; siblings Freese (Buddy)Hopkins and Mischa and their children Freese (Colin) and Jordan of Belleville, MI; Deneen Wiske and her husband Luke and their children Remy Carmichael and Tobin of Middleton, WI; Robert Hopkins and his wife Meizi and their children Penelope and Samuel of Louisville, KY;grandmother Gwendolyn Statham; uncles Rick Statham, Dan Statham, Doug Statham, and Mark Statham and family; many cousins; Patricia’s parents James and Mildred Ferguson of Montgomery, NY and their family; and Patricia’s grandparents Fred and Pat Baumann and family. He was predeceased by his grandfather James Statham and uncle Alan Statham.

Mark was a man of the Bible whose faith in Christ shaped every area of his life. Mark was a genuine, creative, compassionate man who exuded happiness and brightened every room he walked into. He was an avid traveler and especially enjoyed spur-of-the-moment road trips — there was never a dull moment with him. He was a deeply spiritual man who shared his faith with others and lived his life to its fullest. He is most known for his unforgettable, radiant smile — he was always happy and had a welcoming presence about him.
We have great hope and comfort knowing that through Mark’s deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he is at rest in the arms of Heaven.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm at Goodwill Church in Montgomery, NY. The funeral will be on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at 2:00pm, also at Goodwill Church.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hopkins Family Fund via Goodwill Church (online at http://goodwillchurch.org/give or mail checks with the fund name in the memo payable to Goodwill Church at 2135 State Route 208, Montgomery, NY 12549) or the Semper Fi Fund at https://semperfifund.org    

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