John D. Hopkins, Jr., 65, a recognized business leader of the Upstate of South Carolina, peacefully entered The Church Triumphant on March 26, 2017, while at his beloved seven- generation home, the Historic Hopkins Farm, 3717 Fork Shoals Road, Simpsonville, SC. A 1973 graduate of Clemson University, he served as president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was a member of Tiger Brotherhood, and Blue Key Honor Society. Mr. Hopkins loved his Clemson Tigers and remained a faithful IPTAY life member and past fund chairman. He served on the Clemson Board of Visitors and the S.C. Botanical Garden Advisory Board. Mr. Hopkins had a distinguished career with Owens Corning for twenty-six years. Having served in ten different locations, he ended his career in 2000 in Washington, DC where he was their Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs. As a corporate officer he was responsible for all International, National, State, and Local government related work, contacts, and coordination. In the ten years prior to that, he managed teams in Hong Kong, Brussels, and the United States, where he was responsible for the processes of facilities planning, customer service, transportation, logistics, and purchasing for all Owens Corning composites global facilities. Upon leaving Owens Corning, Mr. Hopkins returned to the family farm where he cultivated his lifelong interest in land and real estate by forming The Fieldstone Group, a collection of diversified real estate investment, land, and timber holdings. He expanded the farm from a primarily traditional operation to one featuring a beautiful social event venue. As a licensed realtor, he was the Broker-in-Charge of Fieldstone Realty Group. Throughout his career, he served on a variety of boards and commissions ranging from banking and technology to agribusiness and real estate. Mr. Hopkins was most recently serving as Director of the International Transportation Innovation Center as well as the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center. His recognized business success was strengthened by his faith and his commitment to three core principles: "Work hard, do what you say you're going to do, and treat everyone with respect." Mr. Hopkins was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church and a charter member of the Presbyterian Fellowship of Fountain Inn; he was a multiple Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and member of the St. Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina, Club of 39, the Fork Shoals Historical Society, and past president of the Augusta Road Ruritan Club. He served on the Palmetto Bank Board of Directors, chaired the Anderson University Board of Regents and the Upcountry History Museum. A true southern gentleman, Mr. Hopkins leaves a legacy of selfless devotion to his family, his friends, and the community. He prided himself on serving the state of South Carolina, always considering it home regardless of where he was living at the time. His interests were abundant and included history and heritage - anything that nurtured his passion for intellectually rigorous pursuits. Mr. Hopkins was dedicated to land conservation and maintaining a joyful heart for the Lord. He guided all of his decision-making by following the integrity-driven motto: "You never go wrong doing the right thing." Son of the late J. Drayton and Betty Agnew Hopkins, he is survived by his wife, Carol, of the home. Mr. Hopkins is survived by two cherished children: a daughter, Caroline Hopkins Newton and son-in-law, Andy; and a son, John Drayton Hopkins, III, all of Greenville; a sister, Betty Hopkins Roshto, of Simpsonville; and a brother, Hugh Agnew Hopkins and sister-in-law Lee Ann Sutherland Hopkins, of Anderson. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Jane Knight Hopkins. In addition, he had two nieces, Amanda Roshto Althaus and Margaret Louise Hopkins Taylor. Mr. Hopkins truly loved meeting people and developing relationships. The son of a farmer, he was fond of the saying "friends are the flowers in the garden of life." A memorial service honoring and celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 11AM in the Woodland Garden at Hopkins Farm. A private family entombment will follow at the Cannon Memorial Park Mausoleum. The Hopkins family will receive friends at their home on Friday evening, March 31, 2017, from 6PM until 8PM. Guests are asked to please use the North Entrance. Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Fellowship of Fountain Inn, P.O. Box 429, Fountain Inn, SC 29644. McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson, is assisting the family. Events Visitation Friday, March 31, 2017 6:00PM - 8:00PM Hopkins Farm Simpsonville, SC, US, 29681 , Funeral Service Saturday, April 1, 2017 11:00AM Hopkins Farm Simpsonville, SC, US, 29681 , Final Resting Place Cannon Memorial Park Fountain Inn, SC ,