Gary Hopkins

Gary Lee Hopkins was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on May 4, 1945. He grew up in a raucous but loving home with his brothers Carl and Leslie and his parents, Wilburn Jackson (“WJ”) and Irene Hopkins.

Even as a child, Gary was determined. He excelled at school, joined ROTC and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He attended the University of Oklahoma for both undergraduate and law school before joining the JAG Corp of the United States Army.

Gary loved his time in the Army. He was known to regale family, friends and, at times, perfect strangers, with tales from his years in the service. He loved to talk about his first office in the pentagon, a converted broom closet with leaky steam pipes and just enough space to fit his desk and chair. He told stories of teaching at the JAG School and of the time he ran into Charlton Heston in the corridors of the Pentagon. Gary completed his active service in 1980 but remained in the Army as a reservist for many years, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

While in the Army, Gary and his first wife, Priscilla, had three children—twin daughters, Catherine Cary Evans and Emily Erin Stanley, and a son, William Carter Hopkins, all of whom survive him.

Upon leaving active service, Gary took a job at E-Systems, a defense contractor in Dallas, Texas. As ever, he excelled at his work and became widely known as an expert in government and defense contracting. While at E-Systems, Gary met Gretchen Werner. Gary and Gretchen were married on September 1, 1990. They were together for the rest of their lives. Gary and Gretchen lived for one another and for fun. They loved road trips, casinos, road trips to casinos, cruises, limousines, concerts, steak dinners and cocktails on the lanai. They loved to share their adventures with family and friends, always insisting on paying the bill and never allowing your drink to run dry.

It is hard to speak of Gary without Gretchen or Gretchen without Gary. Absolutely dedicated to one another, they were inseparable in life and in death. Gary passed away on February 5, 2022, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's. His devoted and loving wife Gretchen unexpectedly followed him just six days later, passing on February 11, 2022.

An afternoon remembrance for Gary and Gretchen will be held Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options.

Gary and Gretchen will be laid to rest together at the DFW National Cemetery, Friday May 13, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. Anyone who plans to attend be in lane 2 at 2:00 p.m.  Ceremony is only 15 minutes long.