Holy moley - I just happened to remember Brad's name from when he and I worked together up in Jax.  Funny, nice, outgoing, smart.  I can't believe I finally remember his last name and find out he's gone!

I'm very sorry!

I knew Brad through my social meet-up group, "Late Night Islanders". Brad was an asset to the group, always smiling and positive and very helpful when we played trivia. Brad enjoyed many victories with us and he was a pleasure to have in the group. He will be missed dearly. We have had quite a few victories recently in trivia and I can't help but think that Brad is with us there in spirit! :) Praying for his family and friends at this time! <3

I met Brad about a year ago through Meetup and just heard about his passing. He was a nice, funny guy,  and I'll miss seeing him at trivia. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

I just found out about Brads demise.  I knew Brad briefly through our meetup groups. He was a very nice thoughtful person.  My condolences to his family.  Life is fleeting.  Sincerely, Penny L. Robinett

I recently found out about Brad's passing, and my heart goes out to his family and friends.  I knew Brad in school, he was in my homeroom class. He always had a smile and he was a very sweet guy. I know he will be missed by many.

Brad, what a man he was. When I heard the tragic news, I was in utter shock. As most were. I'm good friends with his son, Hunter, so I was definitely one of the hooligans who would always be there. Brad did not mind. He welcomed our company and would crack jokes and we all thought him to be part of the crew. He wasn't just a good friend, he was an older brother that I never had. I know that he is in a better place now, looking down on his loved ones and smiling with joy. 
I'll miss you tremendously, Brad. Rest easy, bro.

I lived across the hall from brad as freshmen at UF. We became instant friends-that was how he was. We became pledge brothers and then fraternity brothers, but he was really family-that is how he was. He will be missed by all. God speed Brad.

I've known you since the first grade, Brad, and I am so sad to learn of your passing. Sending prayers and love to Brian, and all of your family. You always made me laugh -- we always had fun. These are my thoughts when I think of you. May peace be with your family and now you are at peace.

To The Hopkins Family,

I am shocked and very sad to hear about Brad's passing today! I grew up with Brad on Magnolia Cir. and I used to spend many hours at his house playing games with him and his grandmother. I remember our many nights playing flash freeze with other neighbors. Those were the good ole days!! We had some great times growing up. 

My God bless the entire Hopkins family during this difficult time.

Marc Newton

May you be at peace Brad.  My best to your family and all those you leave behind.  I will remember the concerts we went to and the good times we had a UF.  

Sincerely,

Brother Steven Gittis

Brad and I met in 1979 and we became pledge brothers at the Beta house at the University of Florida. 
I am sharing a photo of Brad, myself, and fellow pledge brother, Mark Dreusicke of our first sky-diving adventure in Gainesville around 1981. After a rigorous training session of 15 minutes, where we learned to tuck and roll and how to handle a May West or a Streamer, in the rare event one occurred, we were ready to jump. I was quite certain, if anything unusual occurred during my jump, I would panic and forget everything they taught us.  Against all probable odds, on his very first jump, Brad's parachute failed to open and he looked up to see the dreaded streamer which meant the chute didn't open.  He calmly cut away the bad parachute, pulled his reserve chute chord, and smoothly sailed down to safety.   Text book streamer recovery.  Never one to be rattled, he greeted us with an ear to ear grin, and we laughed about it all the way home.

Brad was intelligent, caring and compassionate, and had a great sense of humor.  He will be missed by all.

I didn't ever get the chance to meet Maggie, but I've known Pam Wood Hopkins, mother of Brad's two awesome children, since before either she or I were married. I know she loved Brad, and has seen and appreciated his wonderful qualities, and despite not staying together as a married couple, has been a true, loyal, devoted friend to him all through the years. I enjoyed Brad the few times I was able to be with him, and I love his children and Pam, and I know they loved, and still love, him dearly. I pray the comfort of the Lord be with all who loved him, and we are so happy to know we will see him again.

My thoughts and prayers go out all Brad's family.  Brad was my pledge brother @ UF.  I have many fond memories of Brad at the Beta house. The trips to Jax for the FL/ GA game were always a blast, especially when he left me at the stadium.  We will miss you brother!!

Brian, Logan and family
So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I'm still at a loss of words and deeply sorrowed of the loss of one of my longest dearest friends, Brad, Bradman, Hoppergrass, as I know so many of us are.

 Iv'e known Brad since we moved here to Jacksonville in 4thGrade living on the street behind Brad's street, Magnolia. We drove to high school together every day and we made some pretty amazing stories together. After Brad graduated from U.F. we were room mates for a couple of years, our "how did we survive that" years. I was lucky enough to have Brad spend a few months with me a few years back and it's strange, somethings had changed about the two of us, about all of our friends over the past 40 years, but our respect and love for each other and deep committed friendships picked up right from where we always leave it, true to each other like brothers. I loved him like a brother. 

  Brad inspired you, Brad pushed the envelope of what society said what was right or wrong, Brad questioned what society thought of us all and told them to stick it when he disagreed. 

Brad was brilliant. When we lived together, He'd go out till late at night, come home and write data code till noon the next day, he'd do in those hours what his co-workers would spend weeks doing. I woried he would be fired from Computer power because he showed up when he wanted to show up, which was rarely ever some times. But I learned why they would not fire him, He was that Good and that valuable to them, That's confidence.

  He loved his children, he loved his brother and sister and he loved Pam and Maggie, without question. Brad reminds me of the John Mayer song, "The heart of life". As hard as Brad, like many of us, could be to the people he loved at times, Brad's heart was good.

In memory of an amazing person Brad was, I invite everyone to listen to The Heart of Life by John Meyer, and think of Brad. 

  Brad, I've loved you nearly my entire life and I'll miss you my dear friend. You will live in my heart until we meet again. Your brother, Mike Glisson

I was a fraternity brother of Brad's at UF.  Everyone enjoyed his easy laugh, and sense of humor.  While at UF we would go diving down in the Palm Beach area, where Brad new folks at one of the dive shops.  Brad was a loyal friend, and would do anything for anyone.  There are about ten of us "Betas" that have kept in touch and over the years have planned bi-annual pilgrimages back to the frat house to catch up and tease all the current members how easy they have it.  Brad was the planner for our event this Sept 10-13.  He was unable to attend the last one and we were all very much looking fwd to seeing him.  We now look fwd to celebrating Brad's life, and the time we were privileged to share with him.  This will be the most special of all our reunions.  We also look fwd to meeting and sharing our memories with Brad's children.   
We miss you, Brother Brad.....

Brian and Logan,
     My thoughts and prayers are with you both, and your family, during this difficult time.  Sue Andrews

I was always impressed that Brad was a domestic whiz.  When we met in the 1990s, he was living on the houseboat in the Potomac, where he had sewed his own curtains, cooked gourmet meals and taught himself to make sushi.  Later, he was creating water features for gardens and, of course, deep-frying turkeys for crowds of guests.
Brad also raised two wonderful children, was a devoted and loyal friend to his longtime friends, and a special partner to our sister who he called Maggie.  Our sympathy goes to her, his children, friends and family.

Our thoughts and prayers go out the the family.  We will miss Brad.  It was so good to everyone.  We appreciate what and he and Maggie did for your boys.  Love to you all.  The Cox Family.

Dear Brad - I only met you a few times at family events, but I know Boo loved you dearly & that makes you family. I know you loved Boo as well. And love endures. Your Ohio family grieves your passing so soon.

I add my condolences to those already expressed here.  Brad is too soon gone and will be missed.  My prayer is for his family members and his friends in this difficult time.

With sympathy to all immediate family & friends, we hope Brad is in a better place...with cargo shorts on of course!

Brad is very fondly remembered by his classmates from Sandalwood 1979

Prayer to his family.

I'm so shocked and saddened to hear about Brad's passing. I went to high school with Brad and always liked him. RIP, Brad

Very sad to hear of this news. May you sincerely rest in peace.  Brad, the Gators will hear you from Heaven.

I was so saddened by Brad's passing.  I am praying for Brian Hopkins and the whole Hopkins family during this very difficult time.  I remember hanging out with Brad and Brian in our neighborhood when we were kids on Magnolia Circle. Those were such good times then.  I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.  May God give you strength.  I ask that if you ever, ever, ever need someone to talk to or just need someone to give you a hug, let me know. I can do both those things.

Rest in peace my Beta Brother. I have some fond memories of our Beta days together. My sincere condolences to Brad's family and friends. Sincerely, Brian Griffin

Such a shock; so saddened.  We still can't believe it.  Our deepest sympathy to the Hopkins family.  We are praying for peace for you all.

Love, The Todd Family

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of my fraternity brother, pledge brother and Gator!  We will all miss him - may he rest in peace!  - kai - Chris Colee

Sorry for Margaret and Brad's family for their loss at this time, Prayers all around for a good guy, rest in peace Brad

Brad was one of a kind, a terrific guy who has left us far too soon.  We send all our love and sympathy to Boo Boo, Hunter, and Kelsey.

Sandi D'Andrea and Alain Tousignant

My condolences to Margaret and to Brad's family. May he rest in peace.

Sending love and warm thoughts to Margaret and Brad's kids during this sad time.

I am so very sorry to hear this sad news, Maggie.  Please know that you and his children are in my thoughts and prayers.

OBITUARY

Richard Bradley Hopkins

June 16, 1961 – July 9, 2015

Greenlawn Cemetery

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services