Marcus Joslin Hopkins

HOPKINS, MARCUS JOSLIN Age 29, was born on May 19, 1984 in Page, Arizona to Christopher and Agapita Hopkins. He died on Sunday, February 16, 2014. He lived his too-short life joyously, sharing with all who knew him his consistent spirit of goodwill. He had a fine gift for friendship. Marc liked music, to dance, and listening to Country Western music. An avid sports fan, he was also a highly competitive participating athlete. Marc was a brave and undaunted fighter as he dealt with his own heavy personal odds. Marcus attended schools in Farmington and Albuquerque, NM, graduating from Cibola High School, Albuquerque in May, 2003. He was a good student working within that High School's Special Education Program. For three seasons, Marc was also an eager member of Cibola's swim team, earning a letter his Senior year. Marcus worked for ten years for Pizza Hut, for three years at Goodwill Industries, Inc., and served as a volunteer worker for the Roadrunner Food Bank, the YMCA, and with the UNM football team's equipment staff. He began taking part in the Special Olympics Athletic Program in early elementary School, continuing to do so until the time of his death. He was New Mexico's representative competitor at the North Carolina World Games in 1999. By the end of the 8-day-long competition, he had won one Gold Medal, three Silvers and one Bronze. In 2004, he competed at the Paralympic Trials in Minneapolis. As a Special Olympics athlete, Marc was a very active participant in swimming, basketball, softball, equestrian, volleyball, soccer, golf, poly hockey, cycling, track and field, and bowling, becoming a State Champion in swimming and cycling. He joined the Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Program, and was a member of the Program's Captains' Club. The Leadership Program engendered a Global Messenger Program under which especially capable members agreed to serve as speakers advocating for Special Olympics participants before school groups, service organizations, business groups, and others. Marcus was one these speakers and, over time, spoke, literally, before dozens of such groups. He always thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and was proud of the educational function it served. As the intensely interested sports fan, Marcus served enthusiastically during his four years as a volunteer worker with the equipment staff of the University of New Mexico football team. He was equally enthusiastic about having competed in the pentathlon as a member of a group helping to establish Special Olympics in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Marcus is survived by his parents, Chris and Pita Hopkins; brother, Sam Hopkins; and a large extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins, a grandfather, and two grandmothers. The Rosary will be recited on Sunday, February 23, 2014, 7:00 p.m., at the Church of St. Joseph's on the Rio Grande, 5901 St. Joseph Dr. NW. The Funeral Mass will be on Monday, February 24, 2014, 9:00 a.m., at St. Joseph's on the Rio Grande. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent to Special Olympics of New Mexico, 6600 Palomas NW, Suite 207, Albuquerque, NM 87l09. Please visit our online guest book for Marcus at . FRENCH - Westside 9300 Golf Course Rd NW 505-897-0300