Turner Jay Hopkinson

Turner is survived by his mother Sherry Hopkinson, father David Hopkinson, step-mother Judy Hopkinson, grandparents Alfred and Jackie Hopkinson, and aunts Toni Carson and Shari Hopkinson.

Turner was born in Sacramento and moved to Point Loma, California, as a young child. The San Diego area continued to be his home. He attended Cabrillo Elementary School, Saint Charles Borromeo Junior High School, and San Diego University High School, where he graduated in 2004.

Turner enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served with Law Enforcement (Military Police), specializing as a military dog trainer/handler, from July 25, 2005 to July 24, 2010, including two tours in Iraq.

Following his honorable discharge with the rank of corporal, Turner earned a bachelor’s of science degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix. He went on to graduate in December 2015 with a degree of Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law.

While attending California Western School of Law, Turner’s student activities and organizational leadership positions included: Student Bar Association (board member - San Diego County Bar representative); Xoner8 (co-president); Criminal Law Association (public relations director), Military Veterans Legal Society (founder and president); Student Ambassador; and member of the Pro Bono Honors Society. The two initiatives that Turner felt most deeply about were the Military Veterans Legal Society and the California Innocence Project, where he spent tireless hours learning and striving to help right the wrongs of past legal decisions.

Turner’s engagement and leadership earned him a Student of Distinction Award (2014-15). He also excelled in academics, earning an Academic Excellence Award and Dean’s List Honors (Spring 2015) and completing an area of concentration in criminal prosecution and defense practice with honors.

Turner passed the California Bar Exam (February 2015) and continued his work at the Office of the Public Defender for the County of San Diego. To say that he loved his job and his co-workers would be an understatement. He had a reputation for being the first one to arrive in the office and was always ready to lend a helping hand to members of the defense team. In Turner’s own words, he was “living the dream.”

Turner truly lived and practiced the Marine Corps motto during his service to country, profession, and personal life: Semper Fidelis -- always faithful -- to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps, and to country, no matter what.

Yes, we are proud of all that Turner achieved, but most of all we honor him and are in love with who he was and what he gave. Though we will miss Turner’s immediate contribution to our society, his passion to support veterans and other members of our society needing just legal representation will live on. A Silver Lining will emerge.

In lieu of flowers, or if you wish to continue Turner’s work to support law student veterans, donations can be made to the Turner J. Hopkinson Memorial Military Veterans Legal Society Fund in support of students at California Western School of Law, CWSL Development Department, 225 Cedar Street, San Diego, CA 92101-3046. Donations are tax deductible.

The love and support extended to the Hopkinson Family during these difficult times by Turner’s friends, educators, Marine brothers and co-workers validate who Turner was in life. Thank you for your help. Friends for life.

Funeral services will be held at Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary on 3655 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103, Tuesday, December 13, 2016. Viewing: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ceremony: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Military burial will take place at Miramar National Cemetery from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. There will be a Patriot Honor Guard Escort from the mortuary to the cemetery at approximately 1:15 p.m.

Turner’s Celebration of Life will take place from 5:00 to 8 PM at The Prado at Balboa Park. 1549 El Prado, San Diego, Ca 92101.

Arrangements under the direction of Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, San Diego, CA.