Bruce G. Hopkins

Bruce G. Hopkins, 75, of Island Park/Pocatello, Idaho, passed away surrounded by family on December 23, 2019.

He was born in the St. Anthony Hospital in Pocatello on March 10, 1944 to Harold Orville Hopkins and Venice Murdock Hopkins Brandt Scarborough. He grew up in Island Park where his parents ran a grocery store at Mack’s Inn. They later moved to Pocatello where his parents divorced and Bruce attended both middle school and high school. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1962. He was involved in Scouts and revieved his Eagle Scout Award.

Following high school, Bruce served in the Navy Medical Corps and was stationed in San Diego, CA from 1962-1964. He later joined the Navy Reserves serving into the early 90’s. Bruce went on to study history at Idaho State University graduating with his BA in History and Anthropology in May of 1971. He was active in student government, served on the student body, and was also election board chairman. He worked as an announcer for KSNN Radio while he was attending school.

During this time, he met and married his first wife Joyce Michaelson Hopkins Monday. They wed on May 19, 1967. They bore three children; Kimberly, Kirk, and Kristopher. Later they divorced.

Bruce coached city baseball, assisted with high school men’s basketball, was a scout leader, and a member of the Pocatello Model Railroaders.

Right upon college graduation, Bruce began a career in law enforcement working for the Pocatello Police Department during the day and moonlighting as a radio DJ at night.

He later transitioned into radio where he had a successful career for many years. He worked his way up to Vice President of Advertising at KWIK/KPKY Radio. He had his own oldies radio show every Saturday night. His boss nicknamed him, “Good Rocking Bruce Hopkins”. Bruce eventually left KWIK Radio and moved over to KSEI/KMGI Radio Station. This led him into high school sports announcing which he faithfully did until 2014 serving Pocatello, Highland, and Century High Schools.

Bruce went back to ISU to obtain his Masters in Public Administration in 1992. It was around this time he left radio sales and started a new career in insurance. He opened his own business titled, “Insurance Services”. In 1999, Bruce moved his insurance company to Island Park. He continued to drive to Pocatello to see family and to announce high school sports.

In 2005, Bruce met his current wife Emma Wight Hopkins. Together they made a memorable life in Island Park. Bruce continued to serve his community and helped raise his wife’s youngest daughters who he adored.

Bruce always loved the outdoors, referring to Island Park as “God’s Country”. He enjoyed backpacking, hiking, fishing, and small outings on his Razor. He loved spending time on his back porch photographing and watching the wildlife that wandered into his property.

He is survived by his current wife Emma Wight Hopkins, eldest daughter Kimberly Hopkins Marks Andrew (Dustin), son Kirk Hopkins (Emma B.), son Kristopher Hopkins, daughters: Myra Wight, Ellen Sue Wight (Justin Jackson), Tamara Bartholomew (Richard B.), Zuleiki Wight; Nine grandchildren, Patrick Marks (Taya), Michael Andrew (Jerica), Shalysa Andrew Varella (Petey), Kiera, Lilah, and Mylo Whiteman, Jazzie, Sunnie, and Audrie Jackson. One great granddaughter Lyla Marks and new great grandson Greyson Andrew.

Bruce is preceded in death by both of his parents, his sister Betty Rae Hopkins Clark, and son Eldon J. Wight.

A viewing will be Saturday, 12/28/2019 from 10-12pm at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel 510 N. 12th Ave.  A Graveside will follow in the Victor, Idaho Cemetery at 3:00pm