Mark Thompson Hopkins, born Aug. 13, 1959 passed away Mar. 23, 2021 after a long and courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Mark was preceded in death by his father James C. Hopkins and mother Mary Jane Anderson. He is survived by brother James R. Hopkins of N.N., sister & brother-in-law Anne H. & Don W. Butcher of Hampton, nephew Ryan M. Salnoske of Florissant, Co., niece Jessica A. Myers and great niece Scout L. Cairns of N.N. and many dear friends. He was a loving, caring and giving brother, mentor to many and will be deeply missed by all.
A life-long resident of N.N, Va., Mark attended Ferguson High School and Point Option. He worked at NNS & DDC in the M.I dept. prior to painting cars and then houses. He owned and operated Lakeside Paint Co. from 1995-2007 and continued to be a self-employed painter and professional musician & artist thereafter.
Mark became an incredibly talented blues guitarist and artist, known for his quick wit and profound knowledge of all of his interests. His memory was remarkable and he loved sharing stories and making people laugh. He founded his first blues band, “The Buzzen Spooks” around 1990, later enjoyed playing with Tim Morgan and the Mojo Brothers which led him to Don Butcher’s Open Mic Night in 2000. Here he met and befriended his music family. Mark was proudly inducted into the Bill Kelly’s “Blues Empacts” in the mid 90’s and then joined forces and recorded with Award Winning “Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers”. He wrote and performed on “How Much Woman Can You Stand” & “Going to the West Side” featuring his great friend Eddie Shaw. He also recorded with Eddie Shaw & the 757 Allstars on “Still Riding High”. He was very proud to be involved with the “Blues Kid’s Music Camp”, working to develop the next generation of blues greats.
Mark painted nearly every day and many times all night long, especially during the past 15 months. His creativity was limitless, his abstracts truly unique, vibrant, colorful and fluid and his comedic art a combination of simple innocence, complex cynicism and truth. He was very proud to have one of his paintings added to the permanent collection of The Muscarelle Museum of Art in Williamsburg this past year.
A celebration of Mark’s life is forthcoming.