John D. Hopkins

John D. Hopkins, age 50, of Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at 8:40 AM on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at his residence. He was born November 20, 1970 in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Mike Hopkins and Reita Sebastian. John attended school in the area and was a graduate of Union High School with the Class of 1988. He also attended the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where he graduated with a Associates Degree in the Music/Video Program. In his early years, John worked as a line cook at Big Muddy's in Burlington, Iowa, Mickey's and The Bluebird in Iowa City, Iowa. John's first sound gig was at Gabe's in Iowa City. John began his career as a sound engineer with Weedeater, Corrosion of Conformity, Orange Goblin, and other Tone Deaf Bands. He built an impressive career and went on to not only continue to work with those bands, but added many more of his personal favorites to his arsenal...Neurosis, Municipal Waste, Overkill, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Sleep, the Grammy Award winning band High on Fire for best metal performance, and one of his all favorite bands, The Melvins and many more. He was a member of the bands Aunt Acid, Brick, Scrid, Kita, Burnout, and the Horde. John, with his career, traveled the United States and most of the world. He loved music, riding his motorcycle, arguing with people for fun, helping people, but mostly, he loved his family and his "favorite humans," Cameron and Conner Hopkins.

John is survived by his mother, Reita (Delbert) Furnald of Oquawka, Illinois, his father, Mike (Toni) Hopkins of Gladstone, Illinois, three brothers, Todd (Mindi) Hopkins of West Burlington, Iowa, Chad (Jodi) Furnald of Danville, Iowa, and Dusty (Allison) Furnald of Danville, Iowa, one sister, Amanda (Amos) Woodrum of Ogden, Illinois, two step-sisters, Angie Brunswig of Ft. Madison, Iowa and Ashley West of Gladstone, Illinois, his niece Cameron and nephew Conner Hopkins, and his aunt and uncle, or as he called them, his second parents, Byron and Alice Sebastian. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. John is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents. 

As were John's wishes, cremation is being accorded. A Celebrations of John's Live will be held at a later date. A memorial is being established for his "Favorite Human's" Cameron and Conner Hopkins Educational Fund.

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