Donald Earl Hopkins
December 31, 1936 – July 25, 2023

Donald Earl Hopkins, 86, of Sweet Home, passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Don was born in Toledo, Oregon to Donald and Dorothy Hopkins on December 31, 1936. He joined his
sister, Florence, growing up in the coastal mountain country between Newport and Eddyville. They
were later joined by another sister, Judy. Growing up peeling Chittum, Cascara bark, and selling it by
the pound was the source of money for school clothes, Roy Rogers cap guns and holsters. He spent
two Summers setting chokers with his Dad, but decided that was not the profession for him. Learning
these jobs at a very young age, instilled a strong work ethic and internal drive for success. Don
graduated from Toledo High School as Salutatorian of the class of 1956, worked for the U.S. Forest
Service, and later joined the US Air Force where he received honorable discharge in 1962.
Education was high priority for Don, and he received both Bachelor and Master’s degrees from
Oregon State University where he was also a life member the Delta Chi National Fraternity,
scholarship recipient and Honorary member of the Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Lambda Theta. He
attended Stanford, University of Washington, University of Oregon and the Oregon College of
Education, as well. He served as a Teacher, Coach, Vice-Principal, Principal and Superintendent. Don
finally retired after serving several interim Superintendent positions throughout Oregon. Don
continued serving in education as a Professor at Lewis and Clark where he taught credentials required
for Oregon Administrator certifications. As Professor, his most recommended book “Lonely at the
Top: The High Cost of Men’s Success” was assigned to give perspective of the role they would be
serving as a school administrator. He served as a Hunter’s Safety Instructor for over 30 years, where
he taught youth, as well as adults, requirements for their Hunter’s Safety certification.
Among the board and organizational positions Don held were Chairman of the Sweet Home School
Board, Linn-Benton Community College Board of Education and Linn-Benton Lincoln ESD, two years as
campaign manager for State Representative Liz Van Leeuwen, campaign committee for Senator Mae
Yih, Willamette Valley Rehab Board, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors President, Men’s bowling
President, Yellow Ribbon Timber Coalition, Sweet Home Library Board, and Sweet Home Elks Lodge.
The longest, and perhaps most rewarding, term Don served on was over 50 years of service on the
Sweet Home Rural Fire District Board. Don served as President of the SH Fire and Ambulance Board
for 35 years, and remaining years as Secretary-Treasurer. During his time, the SHFD was unified as
Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, 3 sub stations were built, and the SHFD main station was
constructed.
Don has been recognized for his services to the community in many ways; Sweet Home First Citizen,
Oregon’s Outstanding Volunteer by Oregon’s Special District Assoc., SH Fire and Ambulance for over
50 years of service, ODFW Hunters Safety Instructor years of service, Future Farmers of America (FFA)
Outstanding Service, Phi Delta Kappa Academic Honors, Phi Lambda Theta National Honors, and
Professional Association in Education awarded from the University of Oregon. Finishing out his
recognition was a service award signed by, President at the time, Donald Trump.
Don leaves behind his loving and caring wife of 56 years, Glenda, their three daughters, Kim
Armstrong (Jason), Kathleen Cochran (Shane), Jennifer Maynard, and his sister, Judy Prindel of
Lebanon. Don and Glenda have been blessed with 6 grandchildren, Ashley Cota (Brock), McKenzie
Cochran (Grason), Kylie and Dawson Armstrong, Jessica and Justin Maynard and 5 great
grandchildren; Sophie, James and Myles Cota, Richard “Rip” Reynolds and “baby” Reynolds also
coming soon!​
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hopkins Family Educational Scholarship fund can be made through
the Sweet Home Alumni Foundation. A Celebration of Life will be 11am, Friday, August 11th at Sweet Home Evangelical Church. A private burial was held at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.