Gary Lee Hopkins, 77, Linton, ND, died Friday, November 18, 2011 in a Bismarck Hospital. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at Myers Funeral Home Chapel. Gary Lee Hopkins, 77, was the first child of Donna (Swartswood) and Frank Hopkins in Burlington Washington. As a child, Gary lived in Lyman till the age of two. Then he moved to Skykomish and Everett. Gary loved to be with his Grandpa Earl no matter where they went or what they did, as long as they were together. In 1949, he entered the US Navy. After serving his first tour he left the Navy for other adventures. Missing the sea, he joined the US Coast Guard: his passion, his life. In October 1971 he retired from the Coast Guard. In 1979, Gary started a new chapter in his life. He taught and mentored as a marine engineer at Seattle Central Collage Trident division. While teaching and trying to stay focused, his eye was drawn to one of his students: Joy Brattain. On December 26, 1986, Joy and Gary were joined in matrimony in Reno, NV. Gary and Joy traveled miles and miles, in and out of states, until 1990 when they discovered the great State of North Dakota, or as Gary called it, "God's Country." This is the land where he decided to live out the rest of his days. He was loved by most and missed by all. Gary is survived by his wife Joy. Sister, Meri (Dennis) Scafe of Lake Stevens, WA. Sister-in-law Kathy (Bill) Boyd of Austin TX. Children Lynn Hopkins of Poulsbo, WA. Christopher (Masako) Hopkins of Port Orchard, WA. Jill (John) Brenning of Gold Bar, WA. Dani Charles of Everett, WA. Perrin Hopkins (Jaynamin) of Marysville, WA. Eileen (Zane) Giese, Linton, ND. William C Henderson Jr. Aurora, CO. Danny (Lisa) Henderson, Linton, ND. Raye (David) Cooper, Suisun City, CA., 23 Grand Children, 10 Great Grand Children, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gary is proceeded in death by, Donna Hopkins (mother), Frank E. Hopkins (father), Dennis Hopkins (brother), Shawn Charles (son-in-law), Elizabeth Kelsch (granddaughter).