Mark Alan Hopkins

Sadly, Mark A. Hopkins, age 70, of Austin, Texas passed away unexpectedly at his home early on the morning of Thursday, March 28, 2024. Mark was born in Austin, Texas to parents James Andrew “Mike” Hopkins and Jean Cecelle Hopkins. Pre-deceased by his parents, Mark was the third born of eight children and is survived by brothers, James (Ann), Steve, John, Joe (Ronda), Bill (Marlene), and Michael, and sister Kathryn Murphy (Gary). Mark was a leader, even as a child, organizing sporting activities – football, baseball, basketball, or tennis – with his younger siblings and neighborhood friends in the Allandale area around Northwest Park. Numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins were encouraged to come together for a friendly summer softball competition between the Hopkins families. Each summer for a number of years the trophy went home with the patriarch of either the Deacon’s Dukes or the Sassy Sluggers. Mark’s long-protruding and loud, “Hi!” on arrival was infectious and all knew the fun was about to begin. Mark graduated from McCallum High School in 1971 and earned a B.A. degree in biology from The University of Texas in 1975. Naturally, the biology degree propelled him into law. Mark graduated with an M.B.A. and a Juris Doctorate degree in June 1983 from the University of Montana. Mark met “the light of his life,” Janell Waters, also of Austin, when the two of them worked at the Safeway on Burnet Rd. Mark and Janell married in 1975 and by August of 1976 were living in Missoula, Montana with their three Chow dogs. Montana was a playland for Mark. He enjoyed the wonderment of the mountains; skiing in the winter and spring; wilderness camping in the summer; and white-water rafting. In 1984 after Mark and Janell’s first child was born in Missoula, the young family moved back to Austin where they welcomed three more children; a daughter and two sons. Mark was ever-present in the activities and development of his children, striving to enrich their lives in any way he could. During their formative years, Mark was especially active with Northwest Little League and had the privilege of coaching each one of his children on one team or another spanning T-ball, coach pitch, minors, and majors. Having returned to Austin after law school, Mark’s career in Texas began as a legislative aide during the 69th Regular Session in 1985. After the 70th Regular Session, Mark went to work for the Office of the Attorney General under Jim Mattox where he served ten years with the Highway Division. During the years thereafter, Mark’s focus turned to various personal projects for friends and family, but beginning in about 2010, Mark found his true passion as a Defense Attorney. Mark had a tireless, personal mission to represent and defend those of us in society who were, and still are, woefully under-represented. Much of Mark’s work was done pro bono. His heart was most touched by young adults who he believed needed a break in life. Mark would go to great lengths to try and keep these young people from getting that first strike toward creating a criminal record. Mark loved his work and he was nourished by the goodness of a vast array of clients he met who were just trying to make their way in this world. Mark’s presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Mark is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Janell Hopkins; by his four children, Conor Ryan (partner, Danica Ruggles), Brittany Janell Etoye (Taylor), Quinlan Shea, and Kiernan Cleary (wife, Kelley Starnes); and by his three precious grandchildren, Koa Taylor, Marin Hopkins, and Ronan Hopkins. A fourth grandson is expected in the summer. One can imagine Mark cradling him, now, and exclaiming, “He is just delightful!”. At this time a Celebration of Life is pending.

Mark Alan Hopkins

July 24, 1953 - March 28, 2024