Louis J. (Jim) Hopkins

Jim Hopkins passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 3, 2025 in Seattle, WA. Jim was born to Louis F. and Maudie Hopkins in Dayton, WA on May 7, 1936 and was raised principally in Pomeroy, WA and then moved to the “big city” of Walla Walla, WA at 16. His upbringing bore out two distinct themes – the deeply grounded life of dry-land wheat farming with depression-era parents and the intellectual aspiration of a problem-solving engineer catalyzed by neighbors like Ralph Zinn. These high-powered, twin-engines operated in tandem throughout his life and drove his many accomplishments.

After graduating from Walla Walla High School (1954), he went on to Stanford University to receive a degree in Electrical Engineering (1958). His appreciation of the breadth and depth of quality education continued throughout his adult years, having attended many class reunions and enjoying continuing-education lectures. Notably, he commented as often about his enlightenment in taking Western Civilization as he did about Nobel Laureate professors launching projectiles in Physics class. In his freshman year he was a catcher on the Stanford baseball team, giving rise to so many great stories and friendships. As a sophomore, he committed to prioritize academics but his love of baseball remained throughout his life (Go Mariners!).

His first professional position was at Ampex Corporation in Los Angeles where he had a front-row seat for the elevation of recorded information and data computation within the economy. He participated directly in capturing data related to early NASA missions and Dept of Defense missions related to flight testing. As if that weren’t enough, he began taking over more responsibility for the family farming operations in Garfield Co., WA.

Leveraging his work in aerospace, he was able to return home to Washington state by taking a position in Seattle with Simmons Precision to serve Boeing seeking high-accuracy measurement data. At a Washington Athletic Club event, he met Marilyn McLean and the course of his life was changed forever. They were married July 22, 1967 and were blessed with two sons – Randall in 1971 and Jordan in 1974.

In the 1970’s, Jim founded Northwest Technical Company (NTC), a Sales Engineering business - focused on optics and light measurement, as the digital computing era emerged. He represented multiple OEMs in the growing technology market in the northwest. It was here that his extraordinary ability to research, analyze, and plan was on full display, as was his determination to keep extensive records! He did this while moving back to Walla Walla to be closer to his aging parents and to expand his farming operations into Oregon.

In the 1980’s he moved NTC to Seattle reflecting the region’s growth where he was able to witness his sons graduate Lakeside High School and then college “Back East.” He was active in the University Presbyterian Church – especially via Memorial Ministry - as well as the Women’s University Club (via Marilyn). He developed a particular appreciation for classical musical theatre (cue “I Am The Very Model of a Modern Major-General” from The Pirates of Penzance) and also traveled extensively to chase genealogical leads for both sides of the family, including Halifax, Nova Scotia, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and so many other points in between!

Formal retirement didn’t come easily for Jim. Even after he wound down NTC, he continued to oversee activities of the farmland and apartment buildings inherited from Marilyn. While it’s tempting to attribute workaholism to Jim, his true driver was self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, especially the next generation. His deferral of short-term pleasure in exchange for the long-term betterment of others is both commendable and refreshing.

Despite all that, it was his down-home charm and infectious guffaw (displayed without exception in all public settings) that betrayed his all-work veneer and showed his true colors. He so appreciated the connections with family, friends, and with waitstaff at local restaurants including Jersey’s in Shoreline, Arnie’s in Edmonds, Bay Café at Fisherman’s Terminal, and Wedgewood Broiler. It was the everyday touches with other human beings – the small ‘throw away comments’ rather than the trappings of materiality - that drove value for him. They were anything but throw-away. His instinct to engage everyone as a neighbor in his own small town – with an innocuous tease and a big smile – revealed his belief in our common bonds to the community and a calling to do the best we can with the gifts we have. His ability to interact well with others reflected his renaissance ability to operate skillfully in the varied worlds in which he lived and displayed his twin-engines. He took special pride in smoothly bringing multiple groups together to mingle at his 80th birthday dinner-cruise on Lake Union, and to share with them countless photos and stories of a life well-lived. Jim’s memory will continue to inspire all who knew him.

After Marilyn’s death in 2020, Jim got reacquainted with fellow Stanford alumnus Jean Bolton. Jim was deeply appreciative of Jean’s companionship, whose affection and care made a huge impact for the balance of his life, as did the many friendships cultivated amongst members of the University Presbyterian Church.

Jim is predeceased by his parents, by Marilyn, and by his sister Vie Ilona. He is survived by Jean Bolton, by his two sons, by his five beloved grandchildren Annabelle, Marissa Rae, McLean, Sammy, and Zachary, by his two nephews Ken Husted and Ron Gentry and by his niece Nicki Bailey.

Jim’s family is so grateful for the care of Aegis Living Ballard, of the dear friendship of Jean Bolton, of the business partnership of the Ledgerwood family of Garfield Co., WA for their active participation in his farming operations, and Jerry Davis at Margaret Carrigan Wright for conscientiously managing the family apartments, and for so many others that have contributed to his extraordinary life.

Jim’s graveside memorial service will be held May 29, 2025 at 11am at Abbey View Memorial Park in Brier, WA, 3601 Alaska Rd, Brier WA 98036, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Jim’s honor may be made to the University Presbyterian Church – Memorial Reception Ministry (Seattle, WA).