Gerald Hopkins Obituary

Dr. Gerald Thomas (Jerry) Hopkins, born July 4, 1939, in Wilmington, NC passed from this life to the next on Sunday, December 28, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents, Reverend William Paul Hopkins and Dorothy Dalton Hopkins.
Jerry was an ordained minister who pastored six churches over a forty-five-year period. He is survived by his wife, Linda Wilson Hopkins; his daughter, Cynthia Hopkins McDougall; his son, Timothy "Lee" Hopkins (Jan); and ten grandchildren, Jessica McDougall Tran, Rachel McDougall Nishimura (Chad), Charis McDougall Hill (Luke), Asher McDougall (Haley), Emily Hopkins Sargent (Michael), Corey Hopkins (Neal), Lydia Hopkins Hubka, Sophia Hopkins Henry (Taylor), Elizabeth Hopkins Guthrie (Seth), and Caleb Hopkins. He is also survived by 17 great grandchildren.
He met his wife at the age of 14 at summer camp and reunited with her at Emmanuel College. They married in 1960. He and other college mates would travel around to various churches to sing and preach almost every weekend.
He graduated from Emmanuel College, received a Bachelor of Arts (Biblical Studies) degree from Logos Christian College, and a Doctor of Divinity from Indiana Christian University.
The first church he pastored was in Bridgeboro, GA, all while running a restaurant in Newnan, GA during the week. He was often paid by the church with a chicken or some eggs instead of money.
After serving as pastor in Tallapoosa and Smyrna, Georgia, he accepted a call to lead a church in Toledo, Ohio. Under his leadership, he built a large and thriving congregation and completed two building expansions. Despite the success, he felt led to leave that thriving ministry to shepherd a small congregation in Greenville, South Carolina.
Three years later he formed New Life Christian Fellowship. Along with the help of his son and son-in-law and a great team, he launched a first-class daycare and New Life Christian Academy. Over the next decade, under his guidance, more than 3,000 people committed their lives to Christ through regional and foreign evangelistic efforts.
Outside of ministry, he had many passions. He enjoyed repairing clocks and watches, often keeping one on his desk to tinker with. His love for flying led him to earn a pilot's license. He enjoyed sitting by his koi pond and relaxing in his hammock.
A true handyman, he tackled an endless honey-do list for his beloved wife. His fascination with electronics included restoring old radios and collecting electric trains. He even built an electric car in 1968 for his kids to enjoy.
Above all, Jerry was a devout husband, who loved God and his family.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. at Praise Cathedral in Greer, SC. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Jerry with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory". To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Gerald, please visit our floral store.