Ron Hopkins, 78

On a sunny April day in Sun Lakes, Arizona, on the eighth tee box, Ron Hopkins — Kay’s husband, Ryan, Kristin and Lindsay's father and grandfather to seven beautiful grandchildren — suffered a cardiac event to which he eventually succumbed on April 10, 2026. While those who loved him would always wish for a few more chapters in his book, his was the story of a life well-lived.

Ron, born in Plentywood, Montana, raised in Libby and a proud graduate of the Libby Loggers Class of 1965, met and married Kay Wilson, his wife of 56 1/2 years, at Western Montana College of Education. They married, graduated, and began their life together as educators in Conrad, where Ron was selected as Montana Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) Educator of the Year, became a JCI senator, managed the Montana Insurance Agency, the Conrad branch of Great Falls Federal Savings and Loan, and became a fixture in the community as he served on boards, committees, and helped with community development.

The Hopkins family left their close-knit community of Conrad in 1982 when Ron joined D. A. Davidson as a broker in the Kalispell office. That career spanned 32 years as he worked his way from financial adviser to office manager of the Kalispell and Whitefish offices. Ron flourished with this move to the Flathead Valley, as did his family, and they soon were again woven into the fabric of the community, with Ron serving on community panels and boards, chair of the District 5 School Board, co-owner of KOFI radio, and number one fan at his kids’ Flathead Braves and Bravettes sporting and music events.

In 2000, Ron and Kay moved to Lakeside, where they made their retirement home on the lake, and Ron began his quest to “fade to gray” in retirement. He was first and foremost an educator, be it stock advisor, angler, sailor, woodworker, or collector of “useless things, large and small,” he loved to share his thoughts and the joy of your company in his pursuits.

He was the creator of the Flathead Lake Inboard/Outboard Power and Sail (FLIP/FLOPS) boating experience, where he reveled in trading stories, snacks, and “grog” with all who would gather for a Raft-Up during summer months on the Flathead. He loved the melding of friends from all points on the compass who enjoyed similar outings. Summer and Fall Solstice parties became a staple in those early lake years — a celebration of his and others’ Nordic heritage (and a chance to don his Viking horns).

Ron was a past master of Kalispell Lodge No. 42, Western Montana Scottish Rite, and the Flathead Shrine organization, but his most prized position was friend and participant of his Arizona and Montana communities. Those communities have supported and extended their hearts to Ron’s family, for which they are all so appreciative.  

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held July 31, 1-3 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Club House.