Obituary of Kenneth "Ken" Edward Hopkins

Kenneth "Ken" Hopkins, 56, of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away on April 20, 2021 in Colorado Springs.�He was born March 10, 1965 to James and Donna Hopkins at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California.� While a small child, Ken's family moved from Klamath Falls, Oregon to Colorado Springs in 1971. He attended Roy J. Wasson High School, graduating in 1983.�Ken then took classes at El Paso Community College (now named Pikes Peak Community College) in Broadcasting. He worked in radio for fourteen years as a DJ, traffic reporter, and spot news reporter for KRDO AM/FM and TV, and was a radio personality for radio stations in Denver.�Ken won an "Addy" in radio, the equivalent of an Emmy award, for a :30 second "Short," of which he was very proud.�Ken had the perfect voice for radio, and loved to create promos (commercials).�He lost his eyesight in 2000 and dealt with several medical issues due to complications of diabetes, and had to give up broadcasting.Ken was well-liked by everyone with whom he came in contact.�He was quick with a joke or pun, always making people laugh (or groan!).�In fact, he got up on stage at a local establishment in the Denver area and did a stand-up comedy gig, basing his funny stories on his real life.Choosing the volatile career of radio broadcasting did not bring riches to Ken.�This, however, did not stop him from helping those less fortunate.�Numerous times, he grew his hair long, then donated it to Locks of Love for children.Ken is sorely missed by his friends and family, especially by his older sister who donated a kidney to him in 2006, then was his caregiver for the last three years of his life (and to whom he will always be "Kenny").Ken is preceded in death by his father, James Hopkins; and his best buddy, Mufon, a very spoiled Pekingese.Ken is survived by his wife of twenty-three years, Jerri "J.D." Speed of Pleasanton, Texas; his mother, Donna Hopkins of Colorado Springs; his older brother, Craig (wife, Patti) Hopkins of Parker, Colorado; his beautiful niece, Kyla Hopkins of Parker; and his sister, Patti Hopkins of Colorado Springs (yes, his sister and sister-in-law have the same name!).In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association: (diabetes.org/ways-to-give); the National Kidney Foundation: (kidney.org/); the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado: (nfb.org/); or a hair donation may be made to Locks of Love: (locksoflove.org/).Ken's family will gather to celebrate his life. He wanted his family to know that although he did not want to hasten leaving those who dearly love him, he knew he would finally be out of pain and at peace.